Man Jailed for Attempted Knifepoint Robbery of Dog Walker

Mark Philip Pelling, 33, has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison following a knifepoint robbery attempt against a woman walking her dog. Pelling received his sentence at York Crown Court on Wednesday. The incident occurred on 29 January 2022, at approximately 06:50 GMT, when he approached the woman on a footpath over New Bridge, Whitby. Pelling brandished a knife and threatened to stab her dog, demanding she hand over a small bag she wore around her waist. However, the bag contained only dog waste bags and treats. He then reiterated his threats, instructing the woman to surrender her purse, to which she responded that she did not possess one, stating, “who brings a purse on a dog walk at 6am?” Subsequently, Pelling departed, verbally abusing the woman as he left. She then contacted the police. Upon their arrival, officers conducted a search for the perpetrator, utilizing a description provided by the victim, but were unsuccessful in locating him. Later that day, two additional officers joined the investigation. Both officers concluded that the suspect’s description corresponded to Mark Pelling, a man residing on Abbots Walk who originated from Boston. The victim had observed that the assailant spoke with a Lincolnshire accent. Police then proceeded to Pelling’s residence, where he was arrested on the same day. A subsequent search of his home uncovered a large butcher-type knife, which was missing from a set and matched the description provided by the victim in her statement. Furthermore, evidence retrieved from Pelling’s phone was instrumental in establishing his presence at the crime scene. On 11 September 2024, the initial day of his trial, he entered a guilty plea to charges of attempted robbery and possession of a knife in a public place. Detective Constable Sam Rivers of North Yorkshire Police commented that the woman displayed “extremely brave” conduct. Det Con Rivers stated: “A serious offender has been brought to justice in this deeply disturbing case.“Credit must be given to the victim whose feeling of safety has naturally been affected by the ordeal. She is an extremely brave woman whose quick actions to report the crime proved vital.“It allowed us to identify and arrest of the suspect. Key evidence gathered during the investigation forced Pelling’s hand to plead guilty on the first day of his trial.“I hope this outcome provides some comfort to the victim.” For highlights from North Yorkshire, listeners can access BBC Sounds, or view the most recent episode of Look North. Individuals may also submit stories for consideration. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding the BBC’s approach to external linking is available.