Rye man jailed for unprovoked and violent attack on friend
Lee Beckett sentenced after brutal assault in friend’s home
A 57-year-old man from Rye has been jailed for over five years after launching an unprovoked attack on a friend in his home.
Lee Beckett of Cooper Road, Rye, arrived uninvited at a friend's house on 21st May, where a friendly conversation soon turned violent.
Beckett unexpectedly punched the 56-year-old victim from Southwark multiple times in the face, later retrieving a knife and threatening to kill him.
Police were called to the scene, and Beckett was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm and making threats to kill.
The victim was taken to hospital with multiple injuries, including damage to his cheek, nose, and eye socket.
Another individual present, a 45-year-old woman from Rye, was unharmed.
Beckett pleaded guilty, was remanded in custody, and subsequently sentenced to five years and three months' imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court on 30th September.
He was also issued a restraining order against both the victim and witness.
Investigating officer Bernadette Peters from Hastings CID described the attack as senseless and said it had left the victim with significant facial injuries.
She hopes the community finds reassurance knowing that Beckett, a violent offender, has been jailed.