Man who bit his grandparents avoids jail

A man who stole from, bit and threatened his grandfather with a knife has walked free from court.
Preston Crown CourtPreston Crown Court
Preston Crown Court

Ryan Crabtree, 22, turned on his elderly grandfather when pensioner confronted him about stealing £60 of his savings from under his pillow, Preston Crown Court was told.

In a separate incident, Crabtree, who has a history of targeting his elderly relatives, bit his 79-year-old grandmother, who suffers dementia, on the shoulder and defrauded her by taking her bank card and splashing out on hundreds of pounds of electrical goods.

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At the time he had a restraining order banning him visiting the pensioner.

The details were revealed during his sentencing at Preston Crown Court in which he admitted affray, two assaults, theft, fraud and breaching a restraining order.

Judge Recorder James Adkin suspended his 22 month jail sentence for two years after the court was told he suffered two mental health disorders.

He said: “You are a young man with frankly an appalling record of committing offences against relatives who hold affection for you, particularly elderly grandparents.

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“They include threats to kill, harassment and battery and abusive behaviour.”

He added: “Your grandfather had acquired some cash and hidden it under his pillow. On November 29 you left the house and he realised he was missing £60. You used it to buy drink. You returned home to the house expecting a roof over your head.”

The court heard his grandfather had slapped his face as he confronted him. Crabtree tried to punch him, then bit him and threatened him with a steak knife. The pensioner fled his house and when police arrived they found Crabtree, of Euston Road, Morecambe, sitting on the kitchen floor.

Officers had to threaten to use a Taser to subdue him.

Recorder Adkin added: “You have pleaded guilty to all these offences and most people would think it apt if you were sent straight to prison.”

But he added a number of features, including his personality disorder, could allow him to be “merciful” so that his issues could be addressed in another way.

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