Adam Tickner has been left with severe PTSD following the incident at Ye Arrow in Rochester, Kent and has spoken out after his attacker was given a suspended prison sentence
A dad has recalled the terrifying fight that saw him doused in an unknown substance by a stranger outside a pub – which left him ‘unconscious’ and fearing for his life.
Adam Tickner, 33, says he has been left with severe PTSD following the incident at Ye Arrow in Rochester, Kent last year. The dad-of-two is speaking out after attacker Alfie Russell – a stranger – was given a suspended prison sentence earlier this month.
The 23-year-old was initially charged with GBH only to later admit a charge of ABH, a lesser offence – meaning he avoided jail. Mr Tickner, from Sittingbourne, Kent, does not believe justice has been done and is fuming after being told the substance thrown at him was downgraded to hand sanitiser.
He says he spent days in hospital following the attack with burns to his face, eyes, mouth and throat and was told by doctors he could have died.
Mr Tickner, an assistant headteacher went to Ye Arrow in Rochester with his wife and some friends for a few drinks when the attack unfolded.
He explained the fight started when a strager at the pub punched one of his friends in the face. He said: “I went over and saw another guy run toward my friend. I pushed him away and had that substance thrown at my face.
“I fell to the floor. My eyes were stinging and my mouth was swollen – I lost consciousness. I was hosed down by the fire brigade for about 30 minutes. I was taken by ambulance to Medway Hospital for about four days.
“It was probably the worst pain I have ever had in my life. When I was on the floor, my lips and tongue were swelling. I was screaming for help, but no one could hear me.
“They said it was a corrosive substance, but the police can’t take it as that, even though that’s what the doctors diagnosed it as.”
Russell, from Hornchurch in East London, was sentenced earlier this month after admitting charges of ABH and affray, following negotiations between prosecutors and his legal team.
But Mr Tickner says he was never told of this and only attended the Maidstone Crown Court sentencing after stumbling upon the hearing online.
Kent Police say the liquid thrown at Mr Tickner was tested at the scene, with “no traces” of acid or alkali substance identified. They added that water had rendered the victim’s clothing “unusable for evidential enquiries”.
Mr Tickner says he was expecting Russell to be jailed, having claimed to have been told by doctors that he was lucky to be alive following the attack.
Russell was instead handed a 45-week suspended prison sentence, as well as being ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and fork out £2,000 in compensation – including £1,200 to Mr Tickner.
“The doctor said if [the substance] had gone down my throat, I wouldn’t be here today,” Mr Tickner said. “I thought I was dying. Other doctors said, ‘You are so lucky to be alive’.
“I was just out with my wife and friends. We were just having a catch-up, and it ended like that. I was expecting him to be jailed.”
Kent Police said that, according to court records, the CPS had “made victims aware of the amendment to charges” in court, and that Russell’s sentencing date was read out by the judge in court.
DCI Beverley Morrison said: “Following a thorough police investigation into an incident in Rochester in September 2025, in which Alfie Russell threw an unknown substance at another man, he was charged with causing GBH.
“After discussion between Russell’s legal team and the CPS, a guilty plea to ABH and affray was accepted by the CPS based on the evidence available.
“The victim received emergency treatment by first responders, which included being doused with water to help with the irritation he was suffering. The victim’s safety was the priority when those who attended came to his aid.
“The liquid was subsequently tested at the scene. No traces of an acidic or alkali substance were identified, but the water sadly rendered their clothing unusable for evidential enquiries.
“At Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 5 January 2026, Russell received a two-year suspended sentence, must complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and will also pay £2,000 in compensation.”
A CPS spokesperson said: “We recognise this attack was deeply distressing for Mr Tickner. The CPS authorised emergency out-of-hours charges based on initial evidence provided by police. Following review, it was clear there was no forensic evidence to prove the type of substance used in the attack.
“We then amended the charges to actual bodily harm and affray, which reflected the injuries and the seriousness of the crime. The defendant pleaded guilty to these offences due to overwhelming evidence against him.”
