JOHN BLAND SENTENCED IN YORK FOR ATTACK ON WIFE WITH HAMMER

In May 2021, John Bland, a 60-year-old man from Bishopthorpe, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison after attacking his wife with a heavy hammer. Prosecutor Andrew Finlay explained that Bland told police he needed to be punished because he was having an affair with another woman. Bland's wife, who still loves him and was reluctant to press charges, did not want him to get into trouble, Mr. Finlay noted.

Later, Bland remarked to his barrister, Laura Addy, “I love her, I could have killed her.” On January 20, Bland told his wife to close her eyes because he had a surprise for her. Moments afterward, he struck her twice on the head. At 11:11 am, as she lay unconscious and bleeding heavily from her head, Bland called emergency services.

Police arrived and arrested him at Fulford Road Police Station. During questioning, Bland told officers, “It was a heavy hammer.” He explained that he had moved out of their home due to his affair but had returned on the day of the attack. He also stated, “I need to be punished.” Bland pleaded guilty to wounding his wife with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Judge Simon Hickey commented on the injuries, saying, “Remarkably, there was no underlying skull fracture, no brain injury, no bleed on the brain,” adding, “She is entitled to be loved and not assaulted in this way.” Bland was previously jailed in 2009 for five years for sexual assaults on children.