Two women have been jailed after joining a brutal attack on a 70-year-old pensioner who was walking his dogs in a Middlesbrough park.

Leanne Yates, 41, and Chloe Thompson, 27, subjected the elderly man to what a judge described as a “terrifying ordeal” after approaching him with a group and demanding money.

The attack happened at Ayresome Gardens on the evening of March 9.

Pensioner Attacked After Returning to the Park

The women initially broke away from the group and approached the pensioner to ask for money.

When he told them he had none, he took one of his dogs home.

Later, he returned to the park to walk his other dog and encountered the same group again.

The pensioner moved aside to let them pass, but CCTV captured a man from the group striking him in the face, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The pensioner fought back by punching the man, who then struck him again, knocking him to the ground.

Thompson was then seen dragging the 70-year-old from the grass verge onto the pavement, while Yates kicked and stamped on him as the rest of the group gathered around.

His Satchel Was Stolen

The attackers searched through the pensioner’s pockets and took his satchel.

But they later discarded it after discovering that it contained nothing valuable — only a dog lead, bags, a hat and gloves.

The injured man managed to return home, where his partner saw the extent of his injuries and took him to hospital.

He told police that his vision had been affected by the attack.

Photographs showed significant bruising and swelling, along with a large cut to his cheek.

Both women were also found in possession of drugs when they were arrested.

Judge Calls Attack ‘Terrifying’

Yates, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of a Class A drug.

Thompson, of New Street in Thornaby, admitted attempted robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of possessing a Class C drug and failing to surrender.

During sentencing, Judge Richard Wright acknowledged the difficult backgrounds of both women and treated their upbringings as mitigating circumstances.

But he made clear that the circumstances of the attack warranted prison sentences.

“Yates – you took the lead in kicking and stamping on him,” the judge told her.

“Thompson – you dragged him about. This was a terrifying ordeal for him.”

He added: “When you attack a 70 year old man, in the dark, who was doing no more than walking his dog.

“When you put him to the ground and kick and stamp on him – you go to prison.”

Yates was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, while Thompson received a three-year sentence.

The court heard how the 70-year-old had simply been out walking his dogs when he was confronted, attacked and robbed by the group.