Police release CCTV image following assault at Harrogate bar

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to following an assault in Harrogate.

Officers said the incident happened at Manahatta bar, which is situated on the Ginnel, off Parliament Street, between 11.30pm on December 3 and 12.59am on December 4.

It involved the suspect punching the victim a number of times to the face while in the bar.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Police are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the male in the image as they believe he will have information that will help the investigation.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Dryden or email leon.dryden@northyorkshire.police.uk

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210254998.”

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Harrogate coach owner Keith Murgatroyd, 80, ‘punched’ in fuel row

The 80-year-old owner of Harrogate coach firm Murgatroyd was left bleeding after being “punched” in a row over fuel.

Keith Murgatroyd was left “black and blue and badly shaken” by the incident, according to his daughter, Sophie Murgatroyd.

Ms Murgatroyd, a solicitor, told the Stray Ferret her dad took a coach to refuel ahead of doing a school run only to be told by a member of staff there was a £30 limit.

She said her dad questioned this because a sign said HGVs were excluded from the limit but the employee refused to accept this.

Ms Murgatroyd said:

“My dad walked back to bus, leaned over the steering wheel to get his wallet, and then this member of staff punched him in the back of the head and continued to punch him until he was dragged off.

“People couldn’t believe what they witnessed.”

Ms Murgatroyd, who spent 20 years growing up on her parents’ farm in the Harrogate district but now lives in Cheshire, has returned home to look after her dad. She said:

“I appreciate we have just come out of covid and there is a fuel crisis and everyone is incredibly stressed but as a daughter this is incredibly hard to stomach.

“This has really shaken him. He hasn’t driven since.”

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The alleged incident happened on an Esso forecourt on the A1 outside the Harrogate district.

Local Legend

Mr Murgatroyd, who lives in Thruscross, took over the business from his parents Harold and Elsie Murgatroyd, who founded the company in 1935.

He has done school runs in Nidderdale for 60 years and also still farms.

“He’s a local legend. Whenever I say my name is Sophie Murgatroyd people say, ‘Oh, Keith took me to school’ or they took a trip somewhere with him.

“He’s happiest when he’s doing his school run and walking around the farm.”

Keith and Sophie Murgatroyd

Keith and Sophie Murgatroyd

Ms Murgatroyd, whose older brother John will take over the business when their dad retires, said her father refused to go to hospital even though he was left “shaken and bleeding”. She added:

“It was my worst nightmare, getting a call like this. He’s a tough old thing. He will be fine physically. I’m not sure what affect it will have on him emotionally and his confidence.

“He’s 80 and he’s given so much and he doesn’t deserve this.”

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said:

“A man is helping police with enquiries following the incident and the investigation is ongoing. Currently no charges have been brought.”

A spokesman for Esso said the incident happened on a site owned and operated by Euro Garages, an independent retail company, and the staff on site were employed by the site owner.

It said it had “raised the issue directly” with Euro Garages, adding:

“We are sorry to learn of the incident you describe. The current fuel crisis is difficult for all concerned and we ask everyone to treat one another with respect and understanding as we work hard to help resolve the situation.”

A spokesperson for EG Group, which owns Euro Garages, said:

“We are aware of an incident that has taken place at one of our sites. We take issues of colleague and customer safety very seriously and we are looking into this in line with our internal policies and procedures ‒ as a matter of the utmost priority.”

 

Police commissioner: jail people who assault emergency workers

North Yorkshire’s police commissioner has called for those who attack emergency workers to go prison after revealing stark figures for assaults across the county.

In the past 12 months, 696 assaults against emergency workers were recorded in North Yorkshire and York  – in 177 cases, these resulted in injuries.

Philip Allott, the county’s police, fire and crime commissioner, has backed legislation currently going through Parliament to come into force as soon as possible to provide protection for police officers and staff, firefighters and paramedics.

He said that under current legislation a non-custodial sentence or a fine is too often the punishment handed out.

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The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will mean the maximum sentence for anyone found guilty of assaulting an emergency service worker, such as by thumping, kicking, pushing, shoving or spitting, is doubled to two years.

Mr Allott said:

“These are individuals who are on the front line and putting themselves in harm’s way who are being assaulted while working hard to protect us. It is only right we do everything we can to protect them in return by ensuring those who attack them go to prison.

“I completely back the doubling of the maximum sentence to two years and hope the law can be changed as quickly as possible. But, let’s be clear, those convicted can already be given a custodial sentence and all too often this punishment is not the one they receive. As these numbers show, the punishment handed out does not appear to be stopping offences. That must change.”

He continued:

“In my view, it’s simple – when someone attacks an emergency service worker, and unless they are detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act, nothing less than a custodial sentence will do and I will be writing to the court, at the time of sentencing, for anyone convicted of assaulting a police officer, PCSO, paramedic, firefighter or transport police in North Yorkshire and York to make that case.

“For those still intent on attacking emergency workers, please don’t subsequently say you were not warned.”

Mum’s shock at finding blood after Jennyfields attack

A woman who found blood on a walk with her daughter near a crime scene in the Jennyfields area of Harrogate today has spoken of her shock.

Two men suffered head injuries and cuts to their bodies following a disturbance in the Grantley Drive area late last night. The police helicopter was deployed and two other men were arrested on suspicion of wounding.

Police cordons remained in place this afternoon on the footpath opposite the Co-op store on Jennyfield Drive, with officers on site.

The Stray Ferret went to Jennyfields and spoke to a resident who requested anonymity. She said:

“It was quite a shock. When I went out earlier with my daughter they had cordoned off part of the path because there was blood.

“Then my daughter and I found blood on the path. So we put a chair there and told officers, who have cordoned it off.”

The circumstances surrounding last night’s incident remain unclear. The woman said:

“There was a lot of commotion. There was a guy outside at around 8pm who was screaming down his phone.

“It’s just sad if it is someone who has been badly hurt but I don’t know what happened.”

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Officers were called to Grantley Drive by the ambulance service at 11.20pm.

North Yorkshire Police arrested two men aged 51 and 44 at about 1am on suspicion of wounding.

The 51-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs.

A North Yorkshire Police statement this afternoon said both men remained in custody. It added:

“The victims were taken to hospital for treatment, their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

More pictures from the scene:

Police were called to the Grantley Drive area of Jennyfields last night.

Police on the footpath next to Jennyfield Drive and Bramham Drive. Officers were called to the Grantley Drive area last night.

Two more Harrogate schools report strangers harassing children

Parents are being urged to be vigilant after two more schools in the Harrogate district reported recent incidents of children being harassed on the way home.

Police revealed yesterday that an 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while walking home from school at the junction of King’s Road and Chatsworth Grove in Harrogate on Tuesday.

The girl, whose school has not been revealed, was upset and shaken by the incident.

It has since emerged that a man in his early 20s chased year seven pupils on their way home from Harrogate High School last night.

The pupils, who were walking on Skipton Road, hid and the man ran past.

Lucy Greenwood, head of school at Harrogate High School, wrote to parents last night alerting them to the news. Her message said:

“It is worth reminding your children to be extra vigilant and to make their way directly home.

“We have reported the incident to the police and we will be making all students in school aware and to remind them to be extra vigilant on their way home.”

A school spokeswoman told the Stray Ferret the incident happened shortly after 2.25pm.

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Willow Tree Community Primary School has also reported two incidents to police that occurred late last week.

One involved a man dressed in black following people home and another involved a black Jeep driving backwards and forwards past a small group of pupils travelling to and from school.

Helen Davey, headteacher of Willow Tree Community Primary School, wrote to parents:

“I have been in touch with the police today to get further information about their response to this.

“They  have asked that anyone who is concerned that they have seen something suspicious should ring 101.

“Although they are able to have officers in the area, anything of concern should be reported so they can build a picture of what is happening.”

Ms Davey told the Stray Ferret the incidents took place in a ginnel near Saint Andrew’s Road at the back of the school.

“It’s a shock and a bit of a wake-up call.”

She added she did not know if there was any link between all the reported incidents.

Police advice

North Yorkshire Police has not issued any further updates and did not say whether it believed the incidents were linked.

Sergeant Alex Sellars from the Harrogate Neighbourhood Policing Team said yesterday that “incidents of this nature are rare in North Yorkshire”.

Sergeant Sellars added:

“There are some very simple steps that we can all take to help us feel safer when we’re walking home, such as walking in a group or with a friend, letting someone know what route you’ll be taking, when you are leaving somewhere and when you expect to be home and walk along main routes and well-lit areas.

“Please be assured that we take reports of this nature very seriously and our officers are committed to ensuring public safety.”

Girl, 11, sexually assaulted walking home from school on busy Harrogate street

Police are appealing for witnesses after an 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on Harrogate’s King’s Road on Tuesday.

The victim, an 11-year-old girl, was making her way home from school at about 3.15pm.

As she approached the junction with Chatsworth Grove, a man approached from behind and placed one hand on her hip and another hand on her waist and made a sexually inappropriate comment to her.

The girl ran away and arrived home upset and shaken.

It occurred just a day after a woman died suddenly in a similar location on King’s Road.

North Yorkshire Police described the girl’s attacker as white, in his 40s, around 5ft 8 with dark, greying hair that was short on one side but longer on the other.

He also has a distinctive mole above his right eyebrow.

He was wearing a red jumper, khaki coloured trousers and black Nike trainers with white laces. The girl said he had a rough Yorkshire accent.

‘Disturbing but rare incident’

Speaking about the incident, Sergeant Alex Sellars, from the Harrogate Neighbourhood Policing Team said;

“This is a disturbing incident which has understandably left the victim very shaken and upset.

“She has been incredibly brave when speaking to police and has been able to give us a detailed description of the man who approached her. Officers will be conducting further enquiries in the area, but we would appreciate the public’s assistance in helping us to identifying this man.

“With the incident taking place at the end of the school day, the area would have been busy with parents and children making their way home. If you were passing on the school run, please can you take a moment to recall your journey, or check your car dash-cams – did you see a man in the area who fits the description? If so, please do get in touch with us.”

Sergeant Sellars added incidents like this were “rare in North Yorkshire”, adding:

“Please be assured that we take reports of this nature very seriously and our officers are committed to ensuring public safety.”

Police said in a statement they were keen to speak to anyone who was in the area of Kings Road and Chatsworth Grove at 3.15pm who may have witnessed the incident, or anyone who recognises the description of the man.

Anyone with information can dial 101, select option 2 and speak to the force control room quoting reference 12210125274.

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Premier League striker arrested after altercation in Knaresborough

Premier League striker Oli McBurnie has been arrested after allegedly attacking a young man in Knaresborough over the weekend.

A viral video clip appears to show the 24-year-old confronting a 21-year-old man on Knaresborough High Street after he mentioned Sheffield United’s relegation.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement last night:

“A 24 year old man from Knaresborough has been arrested in connection with an incident, which involved another man being assaulted.

“The 21 year old victim sustained facial injuries during the incident, which happened shortly before 8.30pm on Saturday 8 May on High Street in Knaresborough.

“The 24 year old arrested man remains in custody at this time.”

The force has asked any witnesses to call them and quote reference number 12210115038.

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Sheffield United has said in a statement:

“Officials at Sheffield United are aware of the video circulating on social media.

“We are currently investigating.”

Scotland international Oli McBurnie was ruled out with a fractured foot in April. The Blades have won just five game this season and have been relegated to the Championship.

 

Girl assaulted by teenagers in Bilton

Police are appealing for information after a teenage girl was assaulted by a group of teenagers in Bilton on Sunday.

The incident happened at 5.50pm on the iron bridge behind Woodfield Primary School.

The girl was approached by a group of six or seven youths believed to be about 13 or 14 years old. One of the boys pushed her over, which resulted in bruising.

They were wearing dark hooded jackets and black joggers.

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North Yorkshire Police is asking for help to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 822 Cleary. The reference number is 12210092122

You can also email jonathan.cleary@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal after man punched and spat at in Ripon

Police are appealing for help to trace a man following an assault in Ripon.

A man was punched and spat at by another man on Bondgate in the city, on Friday, November 27 last year, around 2.30am.

North Yorkshire Police has now issued an appeal for witnesses and information to help with its investigation, saying:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and in particular we are appealing for anyone who can identify the man pictured as we believe he may have information which could help the investigation.”

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Katie Bell. You can also email katarina.bell@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively, to report information anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200211252.

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Harrogate police officer’s ‘overwhelming pain’ after ankle fracture assault

A Harrogate police officer has described how he lay in “overwhelming pain” after being assaulted so badly he couldn’t work for six months.

Traffic Constable David Minto suffered fractures and extensive ligament damage to his lower leg when he was attacked by Harrogate man Shane Povey.

TC Minto was attending a report of antisocial behaviour when Povey became aggressive. A tussle followed, and he grappled TC Minto to the floor, twisting his leg. TC Minto said:

“As soon as I went down I knew straight away that my ankle was done in.

“The initial pain was overwhelming. The first 10 or 15 seconds, everything went dark. After a while, I managed to crawl from the road to the path.”

As he crawled to safety, other officers arrested Povey.

David Minto recovering in hospital.

TC Minto, who works in the roads policing group, was taken to hospital where he was treated for a complicated ankle fracture with extensive ligament damage, which had to be pinned.

‘You feel cheated’

He spent one-and-a-half months on crutches with his leg in plaster, then the same time again in a supportive leg brace. He said:

“It was frustrating to not being able to contribute at home, or even move around the house properly.

“I missed out on things I should have been doing with my son and with my family. It’s time that I can never get back. You feel a bit cheated.”

Povey, 38, of Dene Park, Harrogate, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.

He was convicted of grievous bodily harm against TC Minto, and also the harassment of a woman and possessing a weapon, which accounted for a longer sentence. He received a 10-year restraining order for the harassment.

Shane Povey

The attack took place on 31 July 2019. TC Minto returned to work in January last year on restricted duties until April.

Assaults on police up 45 per cent

Official figures show that in the six months to the end of January 2020, North Yorkshire Police made 104 arrests following assaults against emergency services workers.

But in the same period to late January 2021, 150 arrests were made – an increase of 45%.

TC Minto said:

“It has a psychological impact on you as well as a physical one.

“But you’ve got to get back to work and get on with it. The support returning to work has been great.

“Ultimately, my passion is road safety. I come into work to keep people safe. You’re aware that you can go home having potentially saved someone’s life. Most people you deal with are decent people.

“But I think there is a mindset among some of the public that police officers have to take the risks, and that’s just part of the job.”

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North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lisa Winward said:

“The attack against TC Minto was deplorable, and although he has now returned to the frontline after a long period of recovery, the impact on him and his family as a result of this assault was immeasurable.

“I have been saddened to see such a shocking rise in assaults over the last year. TC Minto, along with all the officers and staff across North Yorkshire Police go to work each day to protect the public and to serve the communities of North Yorkshire, and any assault against them is unacceptable.”

North Yorkshire Police figures show that in the last month, 36 arrests have been made following assaults on emergency service personnel – an average of more than one a day.