Paul Axon, 44, was jailed for attacking and stamping several times on a man's head

Police have released this shocking image of a 44-year-old man repeatedly kicking another person in the head over a debt.

Paul Axon, 44, of York Road, Gravesend, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm after inflicting serious injuries on his victim and was recently jailed at Maidstone Crown Court for four-and-a-half-years.

The attack took place in the early afternoon on Monday July 25 last year in the communal gardens at Lancaster Court, York Road, Gravesend.

Police hope by releasing the footage other thugs will be put off carrying out assaults.

In an unprovoked attack, Axon, who had been drinking, challenged the victim over a monetary dispute before punching him, sweeping his legs from under him and kicking him three times in the head while he was on the ground.

After the attack, the victim left the scene and went into town where he passed out in a café. He was taken by ambulance to Darent Valley Hospital.

DC Richard Maw said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack on an unsuspecting victim. The diligence of the police investigative team combined with excellent CCTV footage of the incident proved compelling evidence of Axon’s guilt.

“The CCTV clearly showed the attack and this negated any possible self-defence argument that Axon could have put forward. He was clearly shown to have punched the victim, sweeping his legs away before kicking him to the head while he was on the ground - seemingly all without any warning or provocation.

“This sentence should act as a deterrent for anyone considering using such violence on another person in the future.”

Axon refused to comment in police interviews but when presented with conclusive CCTV and medical evidence, clearly showing the attack, he opted to plead guilty on February 27 and was sentenced on the same day.