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11
Aug
Man jailed for assault at Harrogate church
A man has been jailed for assaulting a person at a church in Harrogate.
Nathan McGowan, of Spa Lane in Starbeck, pleaded guilty to assault and possessing an offensive weapon – an ashtray – in a public place on June 14.
McGowan denied a second offence of possessing an offensive weapon – a hammer – at the time. The Courts and Tribunals Service told the Stray Ferret the hammer charge was later “discontinued”.
The 31-year-old defendant assaulted a named man by beating him at Harrogate Baptist Church on June 12.
McGowan had the ashtray in his possession at the time.
At York Magistrates Court on Tuesday (August 8), he was jailed for a total of six months and ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
The offences were so serious only a custodial sentence could be justified, court documents say.
The magistrates also made a deprivation order in relation to the ashtray.
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