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Gravesend drug dealer Simphiwe Tibe, 26, jailed for knocking man's teeth out with metal curtain rail in row over drugs

A dealer who knocked out another man's teeth with a metal curtain rail after a row about drugs has been jailed.

Simphiwe Tibe was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison following the attack in Aurora Court, in Gravesend, on November 15.

Tibe, met a man at the address to give him a small amount of cannabis.

Simphiwe Tibe, 26, has been jailed for more than 10 years. Picture: Kent Police (9475597)
Simphiwe Tibe, 26, has been jailed for more than 10 years. Picture: Kent Police (9475597)

However, the pair began to argue after the victim accused the 26-year-old of underweighing the drugs.

Tibe then struck the man over the head with a metal curtain rail, leaving him serious facial injuries, including facial fractures, and missing four teeth. The victim had to receive extensive treatment at hospital.

The offender's identity was unknown to police following the incident, but one week later plain-clothed officers patrolling Waterton Avenue, in Gravesend, arrested him after a known drug user in the town was seen picking up a package from Tibe.

"Tibe has shown himself to be a highly dangerous offender that is willing to make money from drug dealing and assault those who challenge him." - Detective Constable Mark Donovan

He was subsequently searched and police found a large quantity of cocaine and heroin in his coat pocket, which were seized along with a mobile phone that had messages related to drug dealing.

Tibe was initally bailed as officers didn't link him to the assault a week before, and so officers could conduct forensic tests on the drugs seized.

Two days after his bail, the Romulus Road residents was involved in another disturbance in Aurora Court and the attending patrol officers were aware he had since been identified on CCTV capturing the previous assault.

He was then arrested and charged for the offence.

Appearing at Woolwich Crown Court, Tibe pleaded guilty to grievous bodily and possessing cocaine and heroin with intent to supply.

He was sentenced to more than a decade in prison on Thursday April 25.

Detective Constable Mark Donovan, investigating officer for the case, said: "Tibe has shown himself to be a highly dangerous offender that is willing to make money from drug dealing and assault those who challenge him.

"There is no place for such behaviour and it is only down to good fortune that the victim did not sustain injuries that were life changing.

"The sentence imposed is entirely justified and I am pleased that the court has taken the same, robust stance we take against drug dealers and those who chose to carry and use a weapon."

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