Victim left with serious injuries after brutal assault; suspects Silcott and Forbes charged with GBH

A tranquil evening in Gillingham turned into a night of horror when a woman was viciously attacked and dragged into an alleyway in a shocking act of violence that has sent shockwaves through the Kent town. The assault, which took place on Wednesday, 23 April, just after 7pm, has left residents questioning whether their streets are still safe.

The woman had been walking along Seaview Road towards Gillingham Road when, without warning, a man crossed the street and allegedly pulled her into a nearby alley. What followed was nothing short of brutal. She was punched and kicked repeatedly, suffering serious facial and leg injuries in what police have called a targeted and violent attack.

The assailant then fled the scene by car, leaving the injured woman behind. In an act of community solidarity, local residents who heard her cries rushed to her aid. Emergency services responded swiftly, and she was transported to hospital. Though later discharged, she continues to receive medical treatment and support for both the physical and emotional trauma inflicted during the assault.

What followed was a rapid and focused police investigation. Kent Police launched urgent enquiries which led to the arrest of two men nearly a month later on Wednesday, 21 May. The suspects—26-year-old Levi Silcott from Simmons Drive in Dagenham, Essex, and 28-year-old Dwight Forbes from High Road in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire—were charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Both men were brought before Medway Magistrates’ Court the following day, Thursday, 22 May, where they were remanded in custody. The seriousness of the charge underscores the gravity of the alleged crime, which has deeply unsettled a community already growing anxious over rising violent incidents across the region.

For residents, the alleyway where the assault occurred has become a haunting reminder of the violence that unfolded. Parents, local business owners, and long-time residents have expressed their anger and fear, with many calling for increased patrols, better street lighting, and urgent investment in public safety.

“This kind of brutality should never happen in our town,” said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “People are frightened. We’re all looking over our shoulders now.”

The case is now moving through the courts, but for Gillingham’s tight-knit community, the sense of violation lingers. Many are demanding to know what measures are being taken to prevent future attacks and protect the town’s most vulnerable residents.

While Kent Police have reassured the public that swift justice is being pursued, the incident has sparked wider conversations about community safety and the visible presence of law enforcement. In a town not often associated with such violent crime, this disturbing episode has rattled public confidence and renewed calls for action.

As the investigation continues and the judicial process unfolds, the people of Gillingham wait—some in anger, others in fear, but all united in their hope for justice and a safer future.