In a brazen act of daylight violence, a shameless thief was ultimately brought to justice with the crucial assistance of a heroic police dog named Thor. The incident, which unfolded in Ipswich, saw a woman violently attacked and robbed before the perpetrator attempted to flee the scene.
The Shocking Daylight Assault
The attack occurred on September 13 last year near the junction of Wherstead Road and Croft Street in Ipswich. Scott Hyam, a 39-year-old local man, followed his victim before launching a sudden and aggressive assault in broad daylight. Startling CCTV footage captured the moment Hyam, clad entirely in black, hurled the woman to the ground.
As she lay helplessly on the pavement, the thug snatched her handbag and rucksack, shouting directly into her face before making his escape. He was seen sprinting down a lane, heading towards Ipswich city centre, in a desperate bid to avoid capture.
Swift Police Response and Canine Heroics
Police were alerted to the robbery shortly after 2.15pm. The victim, who fortunately was not seriously injured, provided officers with a clear description of her attacker, confirming she knew him. This information proved vital in initiating the search.
Despite initially resisting arrest, Hyam's freedom was short-lived. He was tracked down and apprehended by a determined police officer working in tandem with the force's canine unit. The police dog, named Thor, played a pivotal role in the operation.
Bodycam footage from the arrest reveals the tense standoff. The officer can be heard issuing clear warnings to Hyam, stating, 'stop or I'll send this dog', and later, 'Stand still or this dog is going to bite you.' When Hyam continued to resist, Thor was unleashed, leading to the suspect's swift detention.
Court Appearance and Sentencing
Scott Hyam, of Ramsgate Drive in Ipswich, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on January 22. During the proceedings, he denied a charge of robbery but pleaded guilty to assault by beating.
Presiding over the case, the judge sentenced Hyam to 15 weeks imprisonment for his violent actions. The sentence reflects the serious nature of the unprovoked attack and the trauma inflicted upon the victim in a public place.
This case underscores the valuable role police dogs play in frontline law enforcement, assisting officers in tracking and detaining suspects who pose a threat to public safety. The combined efforts of the responding officer and Thor ensured a dangerous individual was removed from the streets of Ipswich.
