Knife robber threatened to stab woman's dog

A man has been jailed for two years and nine months after carrying out a knifepoint robbery on a dog walker.

Mark Philip Pelling, 33, was sentenced at York Crown Court on Wednesday after he approached a woman on a footpath over New Bridge, Whitby, at around 06:50 GMT on 29 January 2022.

He pulled out a knife and threatened to stab her dog in order to get her hand over a small bag that was around her waist – however it only had poo bags and treats inside.

Pelling then repeated his threats and also told the woman to had over her purse, but she replied she did not have one as “who brings a purse on a dog walk at 6am?”

He then walked away while also shouting abuse at her, and she was able to call the police.

When they arrived, officers carried out a search for the suspect and were given a description of him from the victim, but were not able to find him.

Later in the day, two more officers came to help with enquiries and both believed the description of the suspect matched a man living on Abbots Walk called Mark Pelling, who was originally from Boston. The woman had noted he spoke with a Lincolnshire accent.

Officers then went to his address and he was arrested the same day.

A search was also conducted at his home and found a large butcher-type knife missing from a set, which matched the same the victim had given in her statement.

Evidence was also recovered from Pelling’s phone which proved crucial to place him at the crime scene.

On the first day of his trial on 11 September 2024, he pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of a knife in a public place.

Det Con Sam Rivers from North Yorkshire Police said the woman was “extremely brave”.

He said: “A serious offender has been brought to justice in this deeply disturbing case.

“Credit must be given to the victim whose feeling of safety has naturally been affected by the ordeal. She is an extremely brave woman whose quick actions to report the crime proved vital.

“It allowed us to identify and arrest of the suspect. Key evidence gathered during the investigation forced Pelling’s hand to plead guilty on the first day of his trial.

“I hope this outcome provides some comfort to the victim.”

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