Hammer attack on sleeping man

A man asleep on a bench in Gravesend was attacked by four men with claw hammers on Friday.

The 30-year-old man suffered head injuries in the attack which happened as he lay on the bench in Gordon Promenade.

Kent Police said the victim, from Dartford, was woken up by the group.

One of the men asked him for cigarettes but then the four pulled out the hammers from a plastic bag and began hitting him.

'Unprovoked attack'

He was struck across the head, chest and arms several times leaving him with severe cuts and bruises.

Police said on Tuesday he was still in the Darent Valley Hospital being treated for his injuries.

A police spokesman said: "This was a sickening and seemingly unprovoked attack which has left a man in hospital.

"It is extremely fortunate he did not suffer life threatening injuries."

The attack happened on Friday and police want to speak to anyone who may have been around Gordon Promenade between 1800 and 2000 GMT on the night.