Current timestamp: 01/02/2023 23:05:21
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

north-yorkshire-logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
    • Pedlar's certificate
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website

Jail for “cowardly” men who acted “like a pack of hyenas” as they attacked victim with shovels

Main article content

Navigation

Court results

16:55 18/01/2022

Four offenders have been jailed after a man was hacked with shovels, leaving him with severe injuries.

A witness described the attackers as “like a pack of hyenas to meat” during the incident in Sowerby near Thirsk.

The victim’s van and car, which contained young children, were also smashed up and one of the group threatened to chop his hand off.

Today a judge jailed Mark Farrow, 45 of Sowerby; John Thomas Hardy, 46 of Sowerby; Gary McDonald, 24 from Thirsk and Walter McDonald 24 of Sowerby for a total of almost eight years.

Each was also given a restraining order to prevent them from making any contact with the victim for the next 15 years.

They were arrested following an extensive investigation into the incident, which happened last year, by detectives at Hambleton & Richmondshire CID.

The attack was targetted and followed a dispute.

All pleaded guilty to violent disorder offences and were sentenced at Bradford Crown Court today.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Martin Willoughby said: “This was a horrific and deeply traumatic attack which left the victim with severe cuts and bruising to his body.

“His attackers were cowards, using weapons and ganging up on an unarmed man, beating him repeatedly in front of his wife and young children before turning their attentions to his wife and damaging her vehicle.

“I am satisfied that this investigation has resulted in custodial sentences, ensuring that our communities are safer when people like this are brought to justice and locked away.”

Gary McDonald has been jailed for 30 months.

Walter McDonald has been jailed for two years.

Mark Farrow has been jailed for 20 months.

Thomas Hardy has also been jailed for 20 months.

 

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

North Yorkshire Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • Jobs and volunteering
  • About us
  • News
  • Your area
  • Campaigns
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy notice

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request

Partners

  • Police, fire and crime commissioner
  • Ask the police

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.