A mixed martial arts fighter has admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm after being accused of repeatedly punching his neighbour.
Damien Forgie, 36, went 3-0 as a professional MMA fighter between 2010 and 2012. He most notably captured a rear-naked choke submission win over Cihan Kocer at Cage Warriors 41.
The Englishman hasn’t competed since defeating Paul Rocha by way of kimura at Shock n’ Awe 11, having had fights for Cage Warriors canceled in both 2014 and 2015.
Per a report from KentOnline, Forgie brutally assaulted his neighbour, Billy Stokes, near their homes in Gravesend, England this past April, leaving him with facial fractures. The fighter is said to have landed “at least 10 blows” after jumping a fence to attack Stokes.
In October, Forgie appeared in court and admitted to the assault. He was bailed and a pre-sentencing report was ordered to be carried out. A motive for the attack was not revealed during the hearing.
During a recent appearance at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Nov. 19, Deputy District Judge Nicola Fleck heard that the report had not been completed in time.
The incident, which lasted 32 seconds and saw Forgie pin his neighbour to the ground before punching him, was deemed to severe by Judge Fleck to be heard in the lower court. As a result, the case has been sent to Maidstone Crown Court, where the fighter will be sentenced.