A 50-year-old Hackney man has been jailed at the Old Bailey for a total of 13 years for a ‘brutal attack’ on a woman whom police say he knew. Mark Hosang had pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent after police were called to a residential address in Paragon Road last July just before 6.30am on a Wednesday morning.
Police were alerted by a member of the public who heard screams coming from the address. The police arrived shortly afterwards and found the victim, in her early 40s, suffering badly from head wounds and a suspected broken arm. Her wounds showed that she had been attacked with a claw hammer. She had apparently been struck across the head and arm as she tried to protect herself from the attack.
Mark Hosang was arrested later that morning and taken to an East London police station.In court at the Old Bailey on Friday January 31st he was sentenced to 10 years in prison with an extended licence period of three years.
The detective leading the investigation, Detective Constable Mark Symonds, described it as a “sustained, brutal attack, aggravated by the use of a weapon which could easily have had fatal consequences”.
He added: “I would like to praise the bravery of the victim who has shown great courage and resilience in supporting this investigation. The professionalism and care of staff at the Royal London Hospital has enabled her to make significant improvements in her recovery and I can only hope the sentence handed down to Hosang further aids this.”
He also praised the actions of the passer-by who called the police, saying: “Their actions allowed us respond swiftly and arrest Hosang while his victim could receive immediate medical attention.
“I would always encourage anyone to call police if they see someone else in trouble – your actions could save a life.”
