‘Animal’ attacked woman sleeping on church steps

Ryan Lancaster brutally attacked homeless woman, punching and kicking her in the head

A man launched a sustained and brutal attack on a homeless woman sleeping on the church steps. Ryan Lancaster, 23, the victim’s on-off partner, launched the brutal attack earlier this year.

Preston Crown Court heard how staff at Foxton Centre, a homeless support center in Preston, noticed bruising and swelling on the woman’s face when she visited for a shower on June 18.

They asked what happened, he said he was attacked. He said Lancaster, who was under the influence of drugs, first kicked him between his legs, then punched and kicked him in the head.

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He had swelling on his head and face and appeared uncomfortable when sitting. Her facial injuries were photographed and ambulance staff were called, but when paramedics tried to speak to her the woman left the centre.

Paramedics said they suspected he had a fractured eye socket, but because the victim did not go to hospital his injuries were not confirmed and Lancaster could only be charged with attempted GBH. Police checked security cameras and found that the attack was recorded on camera.

In the footage, it can be seen that Lancaster ‘cornered’ the woman and ‘disturbed her’. He attacked her several times over a 25-minute period, repeatedly walking away before returning to continue the attack.

The court heard that at one point the woman was previously seen holding a white duvet cover which had no markings on it. It was covered in blood. The attack ended when Lancaster handed the woman a can of drink. reports LancsLive.

The court heard Preston was under a community order for assaulting the same victim during the attack on the church steps in Lune Street, Lancaster. Police reported that the woman was injured and went to talk to her. She told them that Lancaster had been attacking her for eight weeks and that if he couldn’t have her he would slit her throat.

Following his arrest, on 20 June, Lancaster was taken into custody and later pleaded guilty to attempted GBH. He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage for smashing the door of the Foxton Center with a brick two days before the attack.

The court heard he had a difficult upbringing and psychiatric conditions. While he was detained, he was in the rescue wing and had time to think. He wrote a letter to the court expressing his remorse and disgust for his behavior.

Sentencing recorder Ayesha Siddiqi said: “Your victim was on the ground crying but you are standing over him. The footage lasts 25 minutes. This attack took place over a period of 25 minutes. I don’t need to tell you how horrific this is.” It was for him.

“You were out of control. You acted like a caged animal. This was a violent, persistent attack that you returned to over and over again, and while I accept that you have a mental disorder that causes you to act impulsively, this is not a short-lived attack.”

“You are 23 years old and your behavior over the last 12 months is very worrying but you have no previous convictions. I take into account the psychiatric report and the very difficult personal circumstances.” He sentenced Lancaster to 36 months in prison for attempted GBH and a month concurrent for criminal damage to the Foxton Centre.