A meeting arranged on Facebook exploded into a street brawl in which a man was stabbed and another suffered head wounds.
Kye Moreton used the social media site to organise a get-together with Joshua Prifti, with whom he had bad blood, before the feud erupted into violence “of the worst kind” in Folkestone.
Others, some armed with weapons, joined in the Dover Road fracas, in which Peter Young, 54, plunged a kitchen knife into 20-year-old Mr Prifti.
Young, of Dover Road, was jailed for six years after admitting wounding Mr Prifti with intent at a previous hearing.
While Moreton, 24, who wielded a piece of wood during the fight, narrowly avoided prison when he sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on May 22.
The court heard Moreton, of Thanet Gardens, had been involved in a a dispute with Mr Prifti when the pair agreed to meet at 8pm on June 2, 2021.
Speaking at Moreton’s sentencing hearing, prosecutor Francis Gaskin described how the scenes swiftly turned sinister.
The lawyer told how Mr Prifti and Elton Prifti, 44, arrived at a Dover Road address where Moreton, Young and Billy Young, 24, were based before tempers flared in the street.
“Over the course of the incident on the whole, there were significant injuries - a stab wound was sustained by Mr Prifti,” the lawyer explained.
“Elton Prifti was struck and had to have some stitches to his head. It was at 8pm at night, weapons were used and a stabbing occurred.
“What you chose to become involved in was a public display of violence of the worst kind...”
“It must have been within the contemplation that there would have been weapons - I don’t imagine Moreton would have thought anyone would get stabbed.”
Ambulance crews descended on the scene to treat Joshua and Elton Prifti, both of Folkestone, as detectives worked to establish the facts of the case.
Moreton would later claim he believed the meeting was going to be a “one-on-one between himself and Mr Prifti”, the court heard.
Joshua and Elton were originally charged with violent disorder and possession of offensive weapons, a metal chain and crowbar respectively.
They were due to stand trial on May 21, 2024, but all charges against them were dropped as the prosecution presented no evidence.
On January 21, 2022, Billy Young admitted violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon - two pieces of wood.
On June 21, 2023, he was handed a two-year custodial sentence, suspended for two years with a requirement to complete 20 rehabilitation sessions and observe an electronically monitored curfew for four months.
Peter Young pleaded guilty to violent disorder, wounding with intent, and the unlawful possession of a bladed article - a kitchen knife - and a weapon - a piece of wood - on May 13, 2022.
He was sentenced the same day to six years in custody.
Moreton’s sentencing hearing was told he had pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, was apologetic, and had kept out of trouble since the 2021 fight.
Recorder Daniel Stevenson said although Moreton’s actions were serious, his behaviour was out of character.
He also highlighted Moreton had no previous convictions.
“What you chose to become involved in was a public display of violence of the worst kind,” he told Moreton in the dock.
“Those who participated in what occurred knew what was going to happen.
“You accept being involved in this incident was the most stupid thing you have even done.
“You have no priors or convictions. It seems this incident was out of character and you have demonstrated that by keeping out of trouble ever since.”
Moreton was given a 20-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months.
Andrew Newton, mitigating, highlighted Moreton’s previous good character and said his client “deeply regrets” his behaviour.
“He continues to live with his mother and he works with his father when he can, he has limited income - £100 at best,” he explained.
Speaking to KentOnline after the sentencing, Moreton, said he was thankful for the judge’s leniency.
“I’m grateful that the judge did not send me to prison,” said Moreton.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that I’ve been given and I intend to take advantage of it.”
Joshua and Elton Prifti are understood to have recovered from their injuries.
