Ross Clancy, aged 40, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Newcastle Crown Court today following a violent hammer attack on a couple in Elswick, Newcastle. The attack, which occurred on November 21, resulted in a woman sustaining life-changing injuries and her partner being seriously hurt.
Emergency services responded at 6.45pm after concerns were raised by the ambulance service about the couple inside their home on Durham Street. Both victims, who are in their 60s, suffered serious hammer injuries during the assault.
Clancy, who was previously unknown to the victims, fled the scene after the attack and stole the couple’s car. Following the incident, he committed a series of crimes across Gateshead and Newcastle, including another assault on a woman with an iron that caused head injuries.
The male victim was discharged from hospital, but the female victim remains hospitalised with severe injuries requiring 24-hour care. Her condition has been described as life-changing.
Clancy was arrested on November 23 and charged with attempted murder along with other offences. Initially, he denied the charges of attempted murder and assault during his trial in March. However, he later pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the female victim, grievous bodily harm against the male victim, and actual bodily harm to the other woman he assaulted.
The judge remanded Clancy in custody and sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years before he can be considered for parole. This sentencing marks a significant judgment in relation to violent crime in Newcastle.
Originally published by UKNIP.
