A violent man from Orpington who stabbed an off-duty police officer outside a fast food restaurant has been jailed.

Harvey Smalling, of Eldred Drive, assaulted the victim after a confrontation in Commercial Road in Strood, in the early hours of Monday, July 18, 2022.

The victim and a friend had asked Smalling if an uncollected order was his, to which he unexpectedly reacted in an aggressive manner.

They then left the restaurant in order to avoid any further confrontation, but Smalling followed them.

Despite trying to avoid him by crossing the road, Smalling approached and threatened them.

The pair attempted to calm him down, but the victim was stabbed in the chest with an item Smalling had taken from his bag.

Smalling fled the scene, and his victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a serious chest wound.

He has since made a full recovery.

Smalling was tracked down and arrested on July 20, and later charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and affray.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Wednesday (January 10) and was jailed for two years and eight months.

Detective Constable Emma Laimbeer, of the Kent Crime Squad, said: “Smalling is a violent individual who reacted aggressively to a courteous question from his victim.

“He then pursued them after they left the fast food intent of causing harm despite efforts to diffuse the situation.

“It is entirely appropriate that this criminal is now serving a prison sentence.”