Police have praised the bravery of two men who were brutally attacked during a violent aggravated burglary in Brompton, near Northallerton, after three offenders were sentenced to more than 18 years in prison.
The comments came after Jack Butcher, 24, from Thirsk, Nicholas Eyles, 50, from Northallerton, and Jack Pugh, 25, from Thirsk were sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Friday, September 5.
The men were jailed for a combined total of just over 18 years after admitting aggravated burglary following a terrifying incident on Danes Crest in Brompton in the early hours of Wednesday, January 15 this year.
Detective Constable Tom Bowman, who led the investigation, said: “I’d like to firstly highlight the bravery of both victims, for sticking with the prosecution and gaining justice for the trauma they endured.
The victims may be slowly recovering physically, but we know how much of a toll an incident like this can take mentally. We hope the sentencing goes some way in helping the victims to rebuild their lives.
Despite this incident taking place in the early hours of the morning, this close-knit community were woken up with the noise of the disturbance. Many neighbours, including children, witnessed the violence which took place right outside their homes. The very fact that they have also witnessed weapons being brought to the scene and some have seen the stabbing incident itself, really is disturbing for all those involved.
We hope the sentencing not only helps the victims with some sort of closure, but helps the local community too. We work tirelessly to combat knife crime and to bring those who bestow violence and harm to others to justice.”
Police were first alerted at around 5.30am after a caller reported that a man armed with a gun was trying to enter their home. The force control room operator could hear screaming, shouting and the words “they’re stabbing him – help me!” before the call cut out.
Multiple neighbours then phoned police to report the disturbance. Armed officers arrived to find two men seriously injured.
One victim had multiple stab and slash wounds, including a puncture wound that caused fractured ribs and a punctured lung. He also suffered facial injuries after being struck with a gun.
The second victim sustained several stab and slash wounds, including to his neck. Both were taken to hospital by ambulance for urgent treatment.
All three suspects were quickly arrested and later pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. Each was also ordered to pay a £228 surcharge.
One of the victims said: “This has had a huge impact on my life… I feel really down, depressed and anxious. It has been a huge knock to my confidence, and I feel as though I’ve really been knocked down and it’s very hard to get back up.”
North Yorkshire Police have urged anyone affected by knife crime to seek support via their website: Stop knife crime | North Yorkshire Police.
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