A woman, 31, who mugged and attacked her own pensioner partner then told a woman trying to help that she would “knock her jaw off”. Katie Bland and a man in his 70s were in a volatile relationship which reached breaking point on January 6 this year.
During an argument Bland was abusive and asked him for money prompting the elderly man to leave his home. At 4pm the 31-year-old found out where the gentlemen was, upon finding him Bland “grabbed the collar of his coat and threw him around, demanding money”, Bradford Crown Court heard on Friday. Throwing insults at her partner Bland subsequently kicked the man and demanded money.
Prosecutor Nathan Davis said: “He left after an argument and she would call him and be abusive and ask for money. At 4pm, she found out he was at Halifax bus station and attended and was abusive, calling him a racist word and a dirty dog.
“She grabbed the collar of his coat and threw him around, demanding money. He offered her £20 but she wanted his bank card and he refused to give her it. He offered to go to an ATM to withdraw money.
“On the journey, she was abusive and started to become violent and kick him. A woman witnessed this and was alerted to the defendant’s actions when she saw her screaming at him. She saw her kick him in the leg and tried to intervene.”
The woman was in turn attacked by Bland, of Cross Hills Mount, Greetland, as she grabbed her by the scarf and said if she “didn’t shut the f*** up” she would “knock her jaw off.”
Bland then continued to assault the elderly man. The court heard police were eventually called, although Bland managed to use the man’s bank card to withdraw £40 before they arrived. She was arrested and answered “no comment” when she was questioned.
Bland went on to admit robbery, assault by beating, fraud and blackmail. In his witness statement, the man said he has “never been so depressed or worried” in all of his life.
Mr Davis said he got “abused daily” which affected him so much that he wanted “to give up with life”.
Mr Davis said: “I wake up and don’t know how she is going to be. I get abused daily. I lost all of my friends for my relationship. My friends have told me what she is like and asks for money to buy drugs.
“Her behaviour is the last weeks has become worse. It has affected me to the point I want to give up with life. I never want to come home due to the mess she has left in my house.”
The court heard that Bland, who participated via video connection from HMP New Hall, possessed prior criminal convictions and was serving under a suspended sentence for a separate robbery when she carried out the offences for which she faced sentencing on Friday.
Mitigating, Shila Whitehead, said: “What she tells me is she has been in custody since January. She said she is aware her behaviour towards him was unacceptable and she is willing to accept help. She accepts at the time of committing these offences she was using drugs and was heavily dependant on them.
“During the time she has been in prison she tells me that she has undertaken a number of courses which has helped her. She is hoping to get help and change her ways and not have the lifestyle she has had for three years. When she has appeared before the court she wants to make amends and lead a law-abiding life. He has been in touch with her while she has been in prison and has been in communication with her family.
“He says he wants to support her if she wants to put in the time to lead a law-abiding life. Her family are supporting her throughout this. They have accommodation for her. They are supporting her and will be there for her when she is released from prison.”
Recorder Gordon jailed Bland for 27 months.