Men jailed for 'vicious and unprovoked' attack on woman

Friday, 20 January 2023 10:37

By Martyn Grenfell @martyngee

Henry Harris and Charlie Hale are serving a total of 31 months in prison for an unprovoked attack on a woman in Burgess Hill in 2020

The men carried out the attack on a woman in Burgess Hill in 2020 and have been jailed for a total of 31 months.

The 47 year old victim had left her flat near to Church Road to question the behaviour of the men reported to be fighting and causing criminal damage in the early hours of 23 September 2020.

One of the men assaulted the woman, causing her to fall to the ground. Whilst laying unconscious, the same suspect and his counterpart both continued to punch and kick her.

The victim was taken to hospital where she was treated for head and facial injuries.

One of the suspects was still present when officers attended and was identified as Charlie Hale, 22, unemployed, of School Lane, Welwyn, Hertfordshire. He was arrested and charged with committing grievous bodily harm, which he admitted, and was sentenced to 19 months’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court in May last year.

The second suspect was identified as Henry Harris, 21, unemployed, of North Way, Lewes. He was charged with committing actual bodily harm and causing criminal damage to the victim’s car, which he admitted, and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court on 3 January.

Investigating officer, Dani Sanchez, said: “This was a vicious attack on a woman who confronted the men after seeing her car was being damaged.

“Harris knocked her to the floor, at which point Hale joined in. The pair showed no mercy as they continued to punch and kick her whilst she lay defenceless and unconscious.

“Their actions were nothing short of barbaric, and the sentences imposed demonstrate that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.”