Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
02
May
Man with ‘history of domestic incidents’ who assaulted woman in Harrogate bar avoids jail
A man with a “history of domestic incidents” who punched a woman in a Harrogate bar has avoided jail.
Ryan Gordon, 29, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court for sentencing yesterday (May 1).
Gordon, who wore a black jumper and a white shirt, was charged with assaulting a named woman in Manahatta bar on March 30, 2024.
Manahatta was located on The Ginnel, off Parliament Street, until it closed last year.
He was also charged with criminal damage after breaking the victim’s phone on the same date.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court that police were called to the bar by members of Manahatta staff after noticing an incident at the premises.
Ms Ibbotson said staff told officers that a “male assaulted a female” at the bar.
She said police viewed CCTV of the premises and saw that Gordon and the named victim had been having an argument.
Ms Ibbotson said:
The defendant punches her on two occasions to the face.
Ms Ibbotson told the court that Gordon, of Broad Street, Peterhead in Scotland, then followed the named victim down Oxford Street.
The court heard the 29-year-old ran up behind her and “touched her in a rough manner” before grabbing her phone and “throwing it to the floor causing it to break”.
CCTV of both incidents was played for magistrates in court.
Gordon, who initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but changed his plea on the day of the trial in April, was later found by police in Harrogate and arrested.
Ms Ibbotson said the defendant declined to answer questions in a police interview. She added that he had a “history of domestic incidents” with previous partners.
The prosecution told the court that the female victim did not wish to pursue the case and did not give a statement to police.
“I’m ashamed and embarrassed”
Gordon, who sat through prosecution evidence with his head bowed, represented himself in court.
He told magistrates that he was “ashamed and embarrassed” and that he was taking steps to improve himself.
Gordon said:
The last 12 months have been the longest for myself. I just want to say that I am really remorseful and I do not want to be in this situation again with the police.
What happened is not right. I am really remorseful that is all I can say. I feel ashamed and I feel embarrassed. I want to do better.
Magistrates sentenced Gordon to a 14-week prison sentence suspended for two years for the assault on the named woman. He was also sentenced to a four-week prison sentence for criminal damage to run concurrently with the assault sentence.
He was ordered to undertake 25 rehabilitation activity days and carry out 250 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and £300 in prosecution costs.
Magistrates told Gordon that the suspended sentence was imposed to act as a “Sword of Damocles” over him.
They said:
If you breach those conditions or commit another offence, you realise that what is waiting for you is 14 weeks in prison.
0