A 'nasty' teenager who who broke into a vulnerable woman's home masked up and posted a Snapchat video terrorising her has been jailed.Harvey Evans, 17, and two other youths made their way into the terrified woman's bedroom and filmed the attack which they posted on Snapchat.
The video which was re-shared on Facebook show the woman sat on a bed, being threatened and assaulted by Evans and his friend while the other films and laughs. Hull Crown Court heard this week how Evans, of 30th Avenue, North Hull, was 16 at the time while his two friends were only 13 and 14.
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Hull Live reports that Evans can be named after Judge John Thackray made no reporting restrictions on identifying him following an application by the news paper. The other two boys involved have been dealt with at the youth court.
The three were all wearing masks, when they got into the home of the woman, 58. She lived alone and suffered from mental health problems. As Evans filmed they slapped her, threatened her and saidf they would shoot her unless eh gave them money.
The video showed the woman being asked by the laughing intruders: "Where's your money? Where's your money? We'll shoot you." They then overturned the woman's bed and left her on the floor, with the bed on top of her.
Evans was sent to a young offenders’ institution for five years after afterwards Community Policing Inspector Jamie Campbell said: “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.”
Insp Campbell also praised residents who helped with the police investigation that allowed the three boys to be identified and tracked down. He said: “I’d like to thank residents for their assistance with our enquiries.
"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.”
The court heard how the victim was left so upset she was later found walking in the street and has been unable to talk about the incident. She has been staying with her mother as she was too scared to go home at night.
Evans also admitted other offences of possessing a police baton as an offensive weapon and a burglary in Orchard Park when he ransacked a house and stole a 42-inch TV, an Xbox controller, rings, a bangle and bank cards.
He also admitted attacking a man by hitting him with a bicycle seat on the head. The man had been trying to help a local shopkeeper with problems with youths.
Steven Garth, mitigating, said Evans had a "dysfunctional" family and had suffered a "most wretched start to life". He said: "He has experienced a lot of upheavals in his life. He has experienced a poor level of care." Mr Garth said Evans was "damaged" and his "view of life is warped" because of that.
Evans had made "good and solid progress" while in custody and had been having 25 hours a week of education. He was working towards an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic.
Judge John Thackray KC told Evans: "You and your accomplices quite literally terrorised her. She was entitled to feel safe and secure in her own home. Indeed, it was her sanctuary. She has been left traumatised and compelled to leave her home and, though it is hoped she will be able to live independently again, she will never return to her former home.”
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