Sponsored by
Video: Leeds pensioner attacker gets life
A drug addict who bludgeoned an elderly woman with a hammer and imprisoned another in her home before setting fire to it has been jailed for life.
A court heard how Mark Glasswell, 34, went to St James' Hospital after the first attack armed with a hammer and complained he could hear voices in his head.
He carried out the second attack after being allowed to leave when a psychiatrist said he posed a "low risk to the community".
Over five days last September, Glasswell attempted to rob two city centre shops, stole a handbag from an elderly women, before going on to bludgeon an 86-year-old woman with a hammer. He then set fire to a house with a 78-year-old woman inside.
Yesterday Leeds Crown Court heard Glasswell entered the rear kitchen door of a house on Pendas Walk, Crossgates, where he hit the woman several times over the head with the hammer.
The widow had to undergo emergency surgery after suffering two skull fractures and a broken eye socket.
On September 12 he broke into the home of Jean Lord. He pushed her to the floor, injuring her legs and hips, then dragged her downstairs. Glasswell threatened to pour boiling water over her if she could not remember her bank card number.
He stole property before setting fire to Mrs Lord's home as she lay injured in the living room.
Jonathan Devlin, prosecuting, said Mrs Lord showed "remarkable bravery" and managed to limp out of the house and raise the alarm. She has since died from a separate medical condition.
Glasswell was finally captured after being spotted on September 13 in the Easterly Road area which was contained by a firearms team and a large number of officers.
He hid in a garden and the force helicopter was deployed with its thermal imaging equipment before he was eventually found.
He was arrested after a struggle in which a police officer and a police
dog were injured.
Glasswell, of Simmons Way, Gipton, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, assault, theft, robbery, attempted robbery, false imprisonment and arson with intent to endanger life.
Adrian Pollard, mitigating, said Glasswell had been using methadone since he was 13 and had a 20-year criminal history. At the time of the offence, the father-of-two had stopped taking his medication and had left his long term partner.
The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier, ordered that Glasswell must serve a minimum of six years in prison before being considered for release by the parole board.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
