Harley Newland jailed for elderly couple attack

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-32782406

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A man who carried out a "callous and calculated" attack on an elderly couple in their home has been jailed.

Harley Newland, 22, of Brigg, drank tea with Eric and Joyce Davey before the attack, which left 86-year-old Mrs Davey lying unconscious on the floor in a pool of blood.

Grimsby Crown Court heard he stole thousands of pounds from the couple and threatened to shoot Mrs Davey.

Newland described himself as "vile and disgraceful" in a letter to the judge.

He was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison.

The court heard he was motivated by greed and spent £2,700 of his "ill-gotten gains" on a Rolex watch for his wife.

Prosecutors said the couple's injuries could have been fatal. Following the attack at their Scunthorpe home on 23 December 2014, they were taken to separate hospitals where they spent their first Christmas apart in 69 years of marriage.

The court heard that Mr and Mrs Davey now suffer from nightmares, with Mr Davey, 90, experiencing flashbacks to his time serving in the Navy in World War Two.

Newland admitted robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to Mr Davey and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mrs Davey.

Sentencing Newland, Judge Tremberg said he could easily have been going to prison for life for a double murder.

The judge said he attacked Mr Davey with such force that the pensioner felt his "life was ebbing away" and police who found Mrs Davey unconscious thought she was dead.

He told Newland: "I'm satisfied that you couldn't care less what degree of harm you caused to her.

"You were indifferent to her condition. You proceeded with your callous and calculated attack."

The judge said: "This was a targeted attack on two elderly people in their own home.

"Mr Davey thought his wife was dead. He thought you were going to strangle him."

He said Mrs Davey suffered a bleed on her brain which still impairs some of her everyday functioning.