'Animal' carried out brutal attack on woman on church steps

A man has been jailed for assaulting a homeless woman as she slept on the steps of the Central Methodist Church in Preston. Ryan Lancaster, 23, was the woman's intermittent partner when he initiated the brutal attack in June 2024.

Staff at the Foxton Centre, a centre supporting the homeless, noticed bruising and swelling to the woman's face when she came for a shower on June 18. When asked about her injuries, she revealed that she had been attacked.

She stated that Lancaster, under the influence of drugs, had kicked her between her legs and punched and kicked her head. She had swelling to her head and face and appeared uncomfortable when sitting down.

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Her facial injuries were photographed and ambulance staff were called but the woman left the centre when they attempted to talk with her. Medics suspected she had a fractured eye socket but as she did not attend hospital, her injuries were not confirmed, leading to Lancaster being charged only with attempted GBH.

CCTV footage reviewed by officers captured the attack. The video showed Lancaster 'cornering' the woman and 'ragging her about', reports Lancs Live.

He assaulted her multiple times over a span of 25 minutes, repeatedly walking away before returning to continue the attack. At one point, the woman was seen holding a previously unmarked white duvet cover, which was now covered in blood, the court heard.

The attack ended with Lancaster handing the woman a can of drink.

The court was told that at the time of the attack on the steps of a church in Lune Street, Lancaster was already on a community order for an earlier assault on the same victim. The police had been notified that the woman was injured and upon visiting her, she said that she had been attacked by him over the course of eight weeks.

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She expressed fear for her life, claiming he had threatened to slit her throat if he couldn't have her. After his arrest on June 20, he was held in custody and later admitted to attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH).

He also confessed to criminal damage for breaking a door at the Foxton Centre with a brick just two days before the assault. The court heard of his troubled past and mental health issues.

Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi, sentencing, said: "Your victim was on the floor crying but you stand over her. The footage lasts 25 minutes. That assault occurred over a 25 minute period.

"You don't need me to tell you how terrifying that must have been for her. You were out of control. You behaved like a caged animal.

"This was a violent, persistent assault where you repeatedly returned and although I accept you have a mental disorder that causes you to act impulsively, this is not a short lived assault.

"You are 23 years old and your behaviour over the last 12 months is very concerning but you have no convictions before that. I take into account the psychiatric report and very difficult personal circumstances."

Lancaster was sentenced to 36 months in prison for attempted GBH, with a concurrent one-month sentence for criminal damage to the Foxton Centre.