He had jumped a six-foot wall to try and escape them
Scott Shepherdson and Emma Kenealy(Image: Humberside Police)
A nasty confrontation in the street turned violent in the early hours of the morning when a terrified man was chased, caught and viciously attacked by two aggressive troublemakers. The victim had fled in terror after tensions escalated over accusations that money had gone missing from the home of one of those involved in the beating, Hull Crown Court heard.
Scott Shepherdson, 36, of Stapleford Close, east Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted robbery on October 4. Emma Kenealy, 32, of Chelmsford Close, east Hull, admitted assaulting the man, causing actual bodily harm.
Georgia Bradley, prosecuting, said that a man went to Shepherdson’s home just before midnight the night before the incident. “All parties are known to each other,” said Miss Bradley. “This was not out of the ordinary.”
After 10 to 15 minutes, tensions became raised and Shepherdson claimed that someone had stolen money from inside the house. The man escaped from the house when he saw an opportunity and he feared for his safety.
He jumped a six-foot wall and ran on to Stapleford Close and then Bradford Avenue. He ended up in Stonebridge Avenue – but spotted Shepherdson and Kenealy near a church on that road.
They chased him and managed to catch him at about 3.23am. He screamed for help but was assaulted by Shepherdson and Kenealy. Shepherdson grabbed the man’s jacket, valued at £50, and made off with it.
The victim suffered minor injuries, including to a thumb and a finger, and a bruise near his knee. Shepherdson had convictions for 43 previous offences, including five involving assaults and 11 theft-related. His most recent conviction was in July 2024.
Kenealy had convictions for 29 previous offences, including three involving assaults. Her most recent offences were assault causing actual bodily harm and assault in January 2016. She was originally given a suspended prison sentence for those offences but was later jailed.
Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, mitigating, said that Shepherdson had been in custody on remand since October 6, giving him time to reflect on his behaviour. “This was a short-lived incident,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan.
“There is a background to this incident. It started at the defendant’s home. They came across the man in the street, where the incident took place.
“The defendant recognises that his behaviour when they came across this man was wholly unacceptable. He is remorseful.”
Hannah Turner, representing Kenealy, said that those involved were known to each other and it was claimed that the man had been shouting abuse at Kenealy in the street. “This incident has a spark, which will soon die out,” said Miss Turner.
Recorder Bryan Cox KC said: “This was a very unpleasant assault and it was unnecessary, whatever your perceived sense of grievance. You have both got pretty poor records, particularly for offences involving violence.”
Shepherdson was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence, six months’ drug rehabilitation, a 26-session probation service programme and 20 days’ rehabilitation. Kenealy was given a nine-month suspended sentence and 12 days’ rehabilitation. They were each given a two-year restraining order and must each pay a £187 victims’ surcharge.
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