A dad has described his teeth being shattered in an attack outside a Farningham pub as the “most traumatic thing to ever happen” to him.
Tom Riva was smoking with his brother outside The Chequers pub in the High Street on February 21 when a catapult was fired in his face.
His young child cried when he first saw him after losing nine teeth in the “unprovoked attack” – and he now faces an £11,000 dentist bill.
The 29-year-old told the News Shopper: “I’ve gone outside the front and no longer than maybe a minute or two later a car stops in the road around 12 or 15 metres away.
“I felt like the headlights were illuminating me and as I looked at the car I have been caught in the face with what we believe to be a catapult.
“It resulted in my top five teeth completely shattering and my bottom four being smashed to bits.
“It took a couple of minutes to realise what actually happened. I thought it was a gunshot because of how loud this catapult was.”
Tom retreated to the busy pub with “blood flying everywhere” to the “horrendous shock” of onlookers.
He explained: “I looked in the mirror to my absolute horror to see most of my teeth missing and both my lips severely cut open.”
People rushed to help and Tom was rushed to hospital, where he was sent to an emergency dentist to assess the damage.
“It’s the most traumatic thing that’s ever happened to me”, he said.
“Every time I look at a mirror, I’m constantly reminded of it. Every time I brush my teeth.
“I am having sleepless nights because it was so horrendous and horrible.”
The carpenter has been left with a severe lisp, a liquid diet and a possible £11,000 bill for new teeth.
He said his seven-month-old child is unable to look at him.
He added: “This guy’s two minutes of fun has turned my whole world upside down”.
But Tom said the “scariest part” was the looming question of “why?”.
Police have been hunting for suspects since they attended the pub with the ambulance service following the incident.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Officers attended the High Street in Farningham along with the South East Coast Ambulance Service, where it was reported a suspected catapult had been used following a verbal altercation.
“A man sustained facial injuries and was taken to a local hospital. His condition was understood not to be serious. Inquiries into the assault are ongoing.”
Meanwhile, Tom has set up a fundraiser to help with his medical expenses.
He explained: “I was reluctant to set up a GoFundMe because I didn’t want to ask for money from people because it doesn’t feel right.”
But he has been overwhelmed by the response.
He said: “When something this horrendous happens to you, you start questioning how can someone be so spiteful for no reason.
“But then on the other side of the coin, to see how nice everyone can be and how caring everyone can be. It is very refreshing.”
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call police on 01622 604100 quoting 46/30380/25.
