North Yorkshire Police has launched an appeal to find a man after a woman was assaulted in Harrogate.
Michael Craggs, 27, is wanted in connection with burglary and criminal damage as well as assault.
He has been recalled to prison and a warrant has been issued for his immediate arrest.
Police said the assault and criminal damage happened in Harrogate.
Officers said in a statement:
“He has links with a number of areas of West Yorkshire too, including Ilkley, Bradford and Otley, where he is wanted in connection with a burglary.”
Anyone with information about his current location is urged to call 101. If the sighting is immediate, call 999. Quote reference number 12240052245.
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Harrogate man jailed for Ripon burglary and ABH
A man who burgled a flat at the YMCA in Ripon and then launched a vicious attack on a woman while on bail has been jailed for 19 months.
Ryan Hopper, 21, broke into the man’s ground floor flat in Water Skellgate after smashing a window and then ransacked the property, York Crown Court heard.
He was arrested and released on bail, but within months attacked a named young woman with whom he had a beef, repeatedly punching and kicking her in the head in a park in Harrogate town centre.
He was arrested again and charged with burglary and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Hopper, from Harrogate but currently of no fixed address, ultimately pleaded guilty to both offences and appeared for sentence today via video link after being remanded in custody.
Prosecutor Brooke Morrison said that Hopper broke into the flat with a named teenager, knowing that the victim would be out as he was working a night shift.
They broke in just after midnight on February 16 last year by smashing the ground-floor window of the property and climbing through the void. After ransacking the flat and causing £221 damage, they left empty-handed and ran off.
Hopper was identified by the victim and staff from CCTV footage at the YMCA. He was brought into custody but exercised his right to silence and was bailed.
Kicked repeatedly in head
On May 14 of that year, a named woman and her male friend were drinking in a park in Harrogate town centre when they were approached by Hopper who “did not get along” with the woman.
Hopper, who had also been drinking, left to get some more alcohol from a local shop but returned 10 minutes later.
Ms Morrison said the woman “doesn’t recall fully” what happened next, “but she does recall that at some point after (Hopper) returned, she was on the floor while being repeatedly attacked by the defendant who was kicking her in the head repeatedly and punching her in the face multiple times”.
As he was attacking the woman, Hopper told her it was because he had been attacked by a “third party” a few weeks beforehand and he blamed her for getting him beat up.
A female witness saw Hopper’s vicious attack on the woman from her back garden and ran up to him telling to stop. She called police and an ambulance and Hopper was duly arrested in the park.
The victim, who suffered bruising to her jaw, eye and forehead, said she didn’t think Hopper would stop.
Following his arrest, Hopper was further charged with assaulting an emergency worker and making threats to kill for which he received an 18-week suspended prison sentence with an alcohol-treatment programme last summer.
14 previous offences
His criminal record comprised 14 previous offences including public disorder, affray, damaging property and carrying an offensive weapon.
Defence barrister Erin Kitson-Parker said the catalyst for Hopper’s offending was drugs and alcohol.
Judge Simon Hickey said it was clear that Hopper had attacked the woman in Harrogate over a “grudge”.
He criticised the defendant for ransacking the man’s flat, leaving it a mess. He added:
“You rifled through his belongings, his drawers were pulled out, his TV was knocked over and glass strewn everywhere from the shattered window.”
Hopper was given a 19-month jail sentence, of which he will serve half behind bars before being released on prison licence.
His co-accused, a youth at the time, received an eight-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay £250 compensation to the burglary victim at a previous hearing.
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Six people on roof attempt to burgle Harrogate house
According to a police statement today, five men and one woman climbed onto the roof of the home in St John’s Crescent in the Bilton area at 5.47pm on Tuesday (April 30).
They then tried to force open a window to get into the house before running off towards St John’s Road, and possibly onto Crab Lane.
Police are seeking help identifying the culprits and any CCTV evidence.
Today’s statement said:
“The woman has medium-length brown hair, is age 30-40, and was wearing a black jumper with grey jeans and white and pink trainers.
“One of the men has short brown hair, is in his early 20s, and was wearing a pair of grey joggers, a grey jumper and a grey puffer jacket with grey shoes.
“Another man has short brown hair, is in his early 20s, and was wearing a black jumper.
“And one of the men has short black hair with a skin fade on the side, is aged mid-20s to 30 and wore a grey Under Armour-brand quarter zip top with grey shorts, white socks and white trainers.”
Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or email ellen.cooper@northyorkshire.police.uk. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
Quote reference 12240075497 when passing on information.
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Tools were stolen during a burglary at a car repair garage in Starbeck this morning.
North Yorkshire Police today said the incident, which happened at 00.28am, occurred at HG Motors just off Bogs Lane.
The statement said the offender(s) “gained entry to the premises via a roof panel” and stole a number of tools, including an Autel MaxiSys pro diagnostic machine, as well as its black and red case similar to the one pictured.
The force added:
“A Milwaukee Impact tool and grinder in black and red and a set of Franklin and Signet ratchet spanners were also taken.
“If you know where these items are or have been offered one or more of these items, please get in contact.
“We’re interested in hearing from anyone who witnessed any vehicles or people on Bilton Hall Drive around the time of the offence, which is located near to where HG Motors is.
“Please email katie.jacobs@northyorkshire.police.uk if you have any information that could help our investigation.
“Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Katie Jacobs or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.”
Quote reference 12240058918 when passing on information.
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Cold callers arrested after Harrogate woman in 80s hands over bank card
Three men have been arrested after a Harrogate woman in her 80s handed over her credit card in a door-to-door cold call.
North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today one of the three men, who are from Middlesbrough, entered the woman’s home on the pretence of selling household items after being released from prison on March 6.
The statement adding:
“He pressurised the victim into handing over her bank card and pin number and withdrew the maximum amount he could.
“He fled from the property when he saw a friend of the victim arrive on the drive.”
Police investigations identified a vehicle connected to the incident.
The car was intercepted when it re-entered Harrogate a few days later and officers arrested the three men inside.
The statement added:
“The suspects were taken into custody for questioning. The driver, 51, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and drug driving after testing positive for cocaine at the roadside.
“The passengers, one aged 37, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and a 31-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary with intent to steal.”
The statement said the men have been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.
‘Check before you open the door’
Police warned people to be on their guard against door-to-door sellers, who they said can be “pushy” and “threatening” and may charge inflated prices.
It urged people to:
- Check who they are before you open the door
- Fit and use a door chain
- Always lock all of your external doors, even when you are at home
- Don’t open the door unless you know who they are and are expecting them
- Don’t part with any money or bank account details
- Don’t be afraid to say no
Police added:
“If anyone who cold calls tries to enter your home without your permission, is threatening or refuses to leave your property, call 999.
“Older people are targeted due to their trusting nature, so if you have older parents, relatives or friends, please share this message with them and check they know how to stay safe if cold callers knock on their door.”
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Police reissue appeal to find Harrogate wanted man
Police seeking a wanted man from Harrogate today re-issued a plea for help finding him.
North Yorkshire Police is still searching for Bailey George Samuel Townend, 21, who has been recalled to prison and is believed to be evading arrest locally.
He was released from prison on licence on November 1 last year after being handed a 51-week custodial sentence for burglary and theft.
The Probation Service reported that Townend failed to reside at approved accommodation in Leeds, thereby breaching his licence.
Today’s police statement said:
“Police enquiries are ongoing in the Harrogate and Leeds areas in the effort to return Townend to prison.
“Townend is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, slim build, with short brown hair and green eyes.
If you can help us track him down, please report information to North Yorkshire Police on 101, option 4, and speak to the force control room.
“For immediate sightings, dial 999 to ensure a rapid response.”
Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online. Quote reference number.
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Burglars in balaclavas break into Ripon motorbike shop
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information following a Ripon burglary on New Year’s Eve.
The force said in statement today that three men broke into Eurotek Sports Motorcyles, on Camp Hill Close, at around 7.30pm on New Year’s Eve.
It added:
“The men, all wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, arrived in a white Ford transit style van, with chevron markings on the rear.
“Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time, or has information that could assist with the investigation to email gareth.skelton@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Gareth Skelton.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Quote reference number 12230247331 when passing on information.”
The Stray Ferret contacted the police to ask what had been stolen, but the force said there was no “additional information to add at the moment”.
It also said the incident is under investigation and “officers are currently gathering CCTV footage”.
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‘Two in one’ burglars strike in Harrogate
Thieves broke into a house in Harrogate and stole car keys before making off with a Kia Picanto.
North Yorkshire Police said today it was investigating the ‘two-in-one’ burglary on Lindrick Way, in the Jennyfields area,
It happened last weekend between 11.15pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday (December 9 and 10).
A silver Kia Picanto, registration RE17 KNG, was taken.
“Police are urging the public to get in touch if they saw anything that could help the investigation or have any CCTV doorbell footage.
“If you can help please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for PC822 Cleary.
“You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Quote reference number 12230233921.
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