Thug who used baseball bat in assaults jailed

 

Jake Lee Kay launched the attack on the afternoon of June 14 this year when he ran up to the victim and another woman in Derwent Avenue, Crook.

 

The 23-year-old battered the woman with the weapon before casually walking away.

 

When a concerned neighbour who had witnessed the incident came out to help, Kay returned and struck him with the bat several times, fracturing his hand.

 

Officers were called but Kay made off from the scene and the following day decided to break the window of the man he had assaulted the day before.

 

Kay was spotted by PCSO Gunby who had been patrolling the area, tracked down and arrested a short time later.

 

He was taken into custody and charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon, assault by beating and criminal damage.

 

He was further charged with breaching his bail conditions twice and was initially due to go to trial but later changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to 48 weeks in prison when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday (August 28).

 

Kay, of Crook, was also ordered to pay £500 to the victim whose hand he had fractured, and the baseball bat he used was ordered to be destroyed.

 

PC Josh Elliott, who led the investigation, said: “Kay is a prolific and dangerous offender, who shows absolutely no regard for the justice system or the community he lives in.

 

“Time after time he was given an opportunity by the courts by being granted bail but would go on to breach this and further offend.

 

“He violently attacked two people with a weapon on a residential estate where young families reside, leaving the community feeling terrified.

 

“I commend the man who stood up to Kay while he brandished the baseball bat, for his bravery in the incident and I wish him a speedy recovery.

 

“I hope this conviction and sentence sends a strong message to Kay and others, that violence, in any form has no place on our streets and will not be tolerated.”