This week, Darryl Crane was sentenced to 9 years in prison and 3 years on licence for carrying out a violent assault in Hastings. The assault occurred after Crane had been drinking with a 26-year-old man at a flat on Priory Road Hastings.
Police officers found the victim unconscious in the street with serious injuries, including a fractured eye socket, internal bleeding in his head, and bruises to his body, arms, and knees. The victim remembers very little of the incident and remained in the hospital for two weeks, suffering as a result of his head injuries.
Crane was arrested along with a youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. After a trial at Hove Crown Court on January 16, 2023, Crane was found guilty by a jury of Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm with intent.
The youth was found guilty of Section 20 Grievous Bodily Harm and was sentenced to a three-year youth rehabilitation order with a supervisory requirement.
The investigating officer, Caroline Bendell, described the assault as “a sustained assault that left the victim with serious injuries.” She commended the bravery of the victim and witnesses for coming forward and providing their evidence, stating that “it is thanks to their courage along with the evidence put forward by Sussex Police that meant the jury were able to come to a guilty verdict.”
