Man jailed after assaulting woman in her own home

A man has been jailed after admitting assaulting a woman in Whitby just before Christmas.

Dale Blaney, 39, attacked the victim at her home on 23 December, hitting her in the face, brandishing a knife and breaking her phone before leaving the property in the early hours of 24 December, police said.

He later returned again, banging on the door and demanding to be let in, causing the victim to flee to a friend's house for safety.

At York Magistrates' Court on 26 December, Blaney pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage and was sentenced to a total of 23 weeks' imprisonment as he had received an 18-week suspended sentence for a similar offence involving a different victim earlier in December.

A two-year restraining order was also put in place by the court to protect his victim.

After Blaney's sentencing, PC Matt Philpott, from North Yorkshire Police, described Blaney as "a perpetrator of violence against women, who clearly cares little for the people he hurts and the pain he inflicts".

"As a result of his actions, he was arrested on Christmas Eve, charged and remanded on Christmas Day and imprisoned on Boxing Day," PC Philpott said.

"I hope the outcome reinforces the message that offending like this is completely unacceptable and will be dealt with seriously and robustly by North Yorkshire Police."

PC Philpott also praised the bravery of the victim in coming forward and supporting the case.

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