Two men jailed after woman assaulted

Two men have been jailed after a woman was seriously assaulted in Stoke-on-Trent.

Jake Eardley (left), 33, of no fixed address, and Lewis Proctor (right), 28, of Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, were both sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Thursday (21 August). Eardley previously admitted assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm and was jailed for two-years-and-two-months. Proctor admitted common assault and possession of a knife in a public place and was jailed for 15 months.

It happened on 25 November last year in Meir. We got a 999-call saying that a man was assaulting a woman in the entrance to a block of flats. That man was Eardley. Three further 999 calls were received shortly after from concerned people saying that the girl was trying to get into houses and shouting for help.

Eardley kicked her in the head and stamped on her face. He even filmed the attack. 

Proctor came to the scene and both men grabbed the victim and dragged her up to a nearby flat.

When we arrived, Eardley jumped out the window. So did the victim, fearing she would be further assaulted by those inside.

Officers found the victim and took her to hospital. She suffered significant bruising to her head, face, torso and back.

Eardley and Proctor were both arrested, questioned, and charged.

Detective Constable Mia Postlethwaite, from our criminal investigations department, said: “This was a particularly violent assault that has no doubt left a lasting effect on the victim.

“Violence, abuse and intimidation against women and girls is a priority for officers and staff across Staffordshire, and we’re determined to support victims as much as possible and to act robustly against offenders.”