Man from Essex jailed after vicious attack on Peterborough victim with metal ratchet

Jason Sullivan, 34, was arrested in Padholme Road on October 18 last year (2020) after police received reports of a burglary in progress and an assault.

At about 7pm Sullivan went to the victim’s home and was greeted at the door by the man’s partner.

Asking to speak with her partner, the woman closed the front door while she got him to come downstairs.

The victim, who is in his 30s, opened the front door to be struck over the head by Sullivan who was armed with a metal ratchet.

The force of the blow knocked him to the floor where Sullivan continued his attack. The woman tried to pull Sullivan off her partner but he didn’t stop so she ran to neighbours for help.

Two neighbours came to their aid and managed to restrain Sullivan until police arrived to arrest him.

Sullivan, of Meadowgate Avenue in Chelmsford, was initially charged with aggravated burglary which he denied, but pleaded guilty to a lesser offence of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, which was accepted in court.

He appeared at Cambridge Crown Court yesterday (Monday) where he was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.

DC Kieran Dolman, who investigated, said: “This was an extremely violent attack which although it has not left the victim with any long-term injuries, it has left him with permanent scarring on his head.

“We do not know why this happened, but regardless of the reason, no one should ever have to endure such violence, especially in their own home.

“Understandably this has had a significant impact on him and his family, including his young children who were in the house at the time of the attack. I hope this sentence provides them with some reassurance and they can start to move on from the trauma.”