'Violent bully' from Scarborough who hit partner with baseball bat jailed at York Crown Court
A Scarborough man described as a “violent bully” has been jailed after assaults on three women.
Michael Kellett, 43, of Northstead Flats, Scarborough, assaulted his partner during a walk home from a night out on March 16.
He later attacked her again in her home, using a baseball bat. She fled with her dog and sought refuge at a neighbour’s house.
The neighbour and a friend asked Kellett to leave, to which he responded with further violence. He stamped on the face of one of the women, knocking out a tooth, and punched the other woman in the face.
He was arrested and while in police custody, spat at an officer twice and urinated and defecated in his cell.
Kellett pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault, one count of assault on an emergency worker, and one count of criminal damage.
At York Crown Court, he was given a nine-year prison sentence and a 10-year restraining order.
The victim who had been in a relationship with Kellett gave a victim impact statement, describing how she had struggled since the incident.
She said: “I could not sleep, did not want to be on my own and felt on edge all the time. I felt I was constantly looking over my shoulder.”
Detective Constable Catherine Peet of North Yorkshire Police, who led the investigation, said: “This was a terrifying attack on three women, one of whom was in a relationship with the offender.
“The initial assault occurred after a night out, when the victim returned home and asked Kellett to leave. He responded by hitting her in the face with a baseball bat.
“When she sought help from her neighbour and friend, they bravely went to her home to intervene. Kellett refused to leave and became aggressive, kicking one woman in the face and injuring both.
“All three victims showed immense courage in standing up to a violent bully and their bravery throughout the investigation and court proceedings is commendable.
“I’m pleased that Kellett is now behind bars where he belongs for a very long time and where he can’t cause further harm.”