FOLKESTONE MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR VIOLENT ASSAULT ON EX AND HER HUSBAND

Martin Paine, a 23-year-old resident of Folkestone, was involved in a violent assault at a private residence. After discovering his ex-lover, Reanne Austin, had remarried and moved on with her life, Paine tracked her down through social media and broke into her home on a quiet Sunday in March. Inside, he assaulted her in front of their children, punching, kicking, and stamping on her chest. Her husband, Martin Austin, was also attacked; he received six stitches for a mouth wound and a broken finger. Paine, who was under the influence of prescription drugs and alcohol, then confronted Mr. Austin outside and subjected him to a brutal attack, stamping on his head multiple times and kicking him until he lost consciousness. Paine was later arrested and expressed remorse, stating, "I have had a chance to think about it and I am sorry about what I did. It’s against my moral code and I shouldn’t have done that to her." He admitted to two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with a court order to stay away from the Austin family for four years. The judge described the attack as "carried out in an ugly manner in front of children" and emphasized the seriousness of the offense. The court proceedings highlighted that Paine had suffered a difficult time in custody, and his resentments were linked to disputes over access to his children and his ex-partner’s new relationship.