In a brutal incident fueled by a longstanding dispute over noise, Archie Rixon assaulted his neighbour Gino Birch with a broken chair leg, leaving Birch with critical injuries including a bleed on the brain. The violent attack occurred in the early morning of March 9, 2025, in a communal area of their Margate residence after Rixon had made multiple complaints to their landlord about Birch's disruptive behavior. Following the confrontation, Birch required hospitalization and was placed on a ventilator due to the severity of his injuries.

The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court, where it was revealed that Rixon, who was only 21 at the time of the incident, had reached a breaking point after hearing what he described as items being thrown down the stairs from Birch's flat above. This escalation of tension resulted not only in Birch's hospitalization but also in Rixon being sentenced to five years and four months in prison for his violent actions. The court proceedings highlight the serious consequences arising from personal disputes and the potential for residential conflicts to spiral out of control.

This incident reflects ongoing issues in shared living situations where disputes over noise can lead to severe outcomes. In urban areas where space is limited and residents share common areas, there is a growing need for effective conflict resolution strategies. The legal repercussions faced by Rixon serve as a warning about the severity of violent reactions and the importance of finding peaceful resolutions in community living environments.