Hull: ‘Nasty’ teenager given five-year sentence after terrorising vulnerable woman

A teenager who viciously terrorised a vulnerable woman in her own home and posted it on social media was sentenced to five years in prison at Hull Crown Court on Thursday 15 September.

Seventeen-year-old Harvey Evans of 30th Avenue, Hull, pleaded guilty to robbery, assault and burglary.

He was charged with the offences following the incident on Wednesday 2 February this year.

Evans, alongside two others, targeted and gained entry to the home of a 59-year-old woman on Greenwood Avenue, Hull, with the intent to rob her after gaining access to her shed.

Inside the vulnerable woman’s address, alongside two others, Evans started filming on his mobile phone and made a gun gesture with his hand and placed it against the woman’s head whilst demanding money. He then went on to replicate the noise of a firearm when it is discharged.

As his victim continued to appear visibly distressed and upset in the video, Evans laughed at her and threw punching motions at her as a part of vicious attack.  A lighter with an exposed flame was also put in her face.

Community Policing Inspector Jamie Campbell: “Evans is without doubt a nasty individual who subjected a defenceless and vulnerable member of the community to a prolonged period of torment.

“Nobody should ever be made to feel unsafe in their own home. I am pleased he has now been sentenced and can no longer inflict misery or harm within the community.

“I’d like to thank residents for their assistance with our enquiries. I know at the time of the incident they played a pivotal role in assisting us with lines of enquiry to identify Evans, after they were understandably angered and upset by the footage posted online.

“As a result of that assistance, we were able to promptly get Evans into custody and ensure that his victim was safeguarded and received the appropriate support she needed. 

“I hope that the outcome of the court case provides members of the community with the reassurance that we are there, in your communities, to support and take swift and positive action, against those responsible for serious offences and bring them to justice with help from detectives in the CID.”

*Media note: due to the nature of the incident and previous offending, reporting restrictions were lifted by the judge at sentencing.