A violent thug has been slapped with a 14 year prison sentence after stabbing a woman in the face and body in Eynsford last year.

On the evening of July 23, Steven Thomas was on Station Road with a woman he knew when they argued about some cash that had been misplaced.

When he threatened to hurt the distressed woman, she ran towards a nearby pub but Thomas caught up with her before she could get to safety.

He then demanded she leave with him but when the woman refused, he suddenly took a knife from his pocket and stabbed her several times causing serious wounds to her face, neck, arms and back.

Thomas left the scene but returned to tell the victim to wipe the blood from her face and tell nobody about the assault.

At this point, customers from the pub who had heard her screams came out and Thomas fled.

The victim, who is in her 40s, was taken to hospital for treatment to her injuries.

Thomas was arrested later that night and was subsequently charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife in a public place.

Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court on January 14 earlier this year, 43-year-old Thomas of St John’s Road in Sevenoaks pleaded guilty to both charges.

He was sentenced at the same court on August 5 to 12 years' imprisonment with an additional two years on licence.

He was told he must serve at least two thirds of the sentence.

Investigating officer PC Alex Peacock said: "This was an appalling attack causing life-changing injuries for the victim.

"Thomas has shown himself to be an extremely violent individual and it is right that he is now in prison."