Demoted Soldier Escapes Custody After Violent Boxing Day Confrontation
A demoted soldier who launched a violent attack on his ex-partner outside a North Yorkshire pub on Boxing Day has avoided an immediate prison sentence, despite a history of previous convictions for violence.
'Swipe Kick' Brings Ex-Partner to Ground
Teesside Crown Court heard how Mason Gill, 23, assaulted his former girlfriend outside The Black Bull pub in Yarm after realising she did not want to reconcile their relationship. The court was told Gill used what was described as a "swiping kick" that brought the woman to the ground during the December 26th altercation.
Prosecutors detailed how Gill initially walked away from the scene, leaving his ex-partner on the pavement, before returning minutes later. A group of women reportedly intervened to prevent him from approaching the victim again, at which point Gill turned his attention to the woman's ex-boyfriend and punched him in the face.
Previous Violent History and Riots Involvement
The court heard Gill has a concerning history of violent behaviour. In 2024, he was convicted of assaulting another woman in Stockton, punching her in the face twice. He received a suspended sentence for that offence.
Months later, Gill was involved in the Middlesbrough riots during the summer of 2024, where he was convicted of violent disorder and burglary after breaking into a Tesco store and stealing items during the civil unrest.
Victim's Fear and Refusal to Cooperate
Significantly, the court was informed that the victim of the Boxing Day attack later refused to provide a statement to police. She explained that Gill had threatened to "blow up her house" if she cooperated with authorities, highlighting the climate of fear surrounding the case.
CCTV footage captured the altercation between Gill and the woman's ex-boyfriend outside the busy pub, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution.
Army Career Cited as Key Factor in Sentencing
During mitigation, defence barrister Nigel Soppitt described the attack as "a single blow, designed to trip her up" and explained there had been "hope of reconciliation" before the woman "changed her attitude that night."
Judge Graham Robinson identified Gill's military career as the pivotal consideration in sentencing, stating: "Immediate custody means you lose your career and the Army loses a valuable soldier." The judge noted Gill's demotion from Lance Corporal to Craftsman and warned that any further offending would result in dismissal from the armed forces.
Positive Prison Behaviour and Community Sentence
The court heard positive reports about Gill's conduct during his month on remand at HMP Holme House, where he had helped a cellmate learn English and been appointed as an educational mentor for prisoners with literacy difficulties.
Gill's sergeant submitted a character reference describing him as "faultless" at work, stating: "If you give him a job, he gets on with it." The defence emphasised that Gill remained "a credit to his unit and to his regiment."
Gill pleaded guilty to assault and breaching a suspended sentence order. He received a two-year community order with 120 hours of unpaid work, a £200 fine, and £150 court costs. The sentence includes an alcohol abstinence requirement.
Paradox of Previous Heroic Act
In a contrasting episode from 2024, Gill had previously made headlines for attempting to rescue a woman from a fire on Stockton's Tilery estate. The off-duty soldier, who serves with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers based at Thirsk, tried to kick down a door of a smoke-filled building before fire services arrived, though the woman tragically died.
The court was told Gill still faces potential military disciplinary proceedings for bringing the Army into disrepute, which could include detention at the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester.
