Westbrook dad faces further surgery after attacker knocks him unconscious and breaks jaw in two places

A Westbrook dad-of-three who was attacked on his way home from the corner shop suffered injuries including a broken jaw in two places – and could now need even more surgery.

Uber driver James McOustra had popped out to the store from his Hatfeild Road home and was walking back in the company of his teenage son’s pal when the pair passed a couple who were arguing.

James said: “We were walking by a couple who were arguing. (The man) said something and as I turned around he whacked me in the jaw. I was out cold for 30 minutes.

“The lad I was with was terrified. He went to my door and shouted to my missus, Stacie. She came running out and (the assailant) was kicking me in the face.

“The next thing I know, I’m in William Harvey Hospital.”

James needed stitches to his forehead, over his eye, and had eight screws and a metal plate inserted into his jaw due to the fractures.

He was in hospital for three days and had to have surgery and now has to attend William Harvey Hospital in Ashford weekly since release. Last week he had strong bands put in place to close his jaw in an effort to help the breaks repair but if this doesn’t work he will have to undergo further surgery and have an additional plate and screws in.

The 40-year-old said: “I haven’t been able to work because they have given me morphine, so I can’t drive.”

James says he is frustrated with the investigation into the attack.

He said: “I was a victim to a horrendous attack, while with a kid, and was knocked out for 30 minutes and he was kicking me in the face.

“There’s no ring doorbell where it happened because the cameras are all on the front (of the buildings) not around the corner. Someone had dashcam but police said it was inconclusive.

“The witness is only 14 and so I was told that maybe he would not be seen as credible but I did say to police ‘what if he was still kicking me and then killed me, would he get away with murder?’ It’s crazy.”

Kent Police confirmed officers and paramedics attended Hatfeild Road at 8.44pm on Friday, September 11 and a 29-year-old man was taken into custody but has since been bailed.

A spokesperson said they understood there may be some frustration at the process but added: “The investigation is very much ongoing. There are still lines of enquiry being pursued and evidence is being secured.”