Hartlepool women sentenced after home attack and subsequent assault
Two sisters from Hartlepool have been jailed after an incident in which they attacked a woman in her own home and made off with her mobile phone and handbag. The sentences were handed down at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday.
The court heard the offences took place in the early hours of 6 September 2024 at a property in Furness Street. The sisters, aged 48 and 47, had been guests at the address when events escalated while all three were in the living room.
- The elder sister snatched the victim’s phone.
- She instructed her sibling to take the victim’s handbag, which was over the victim’s shoulder.
- Both women pushed the victim and the younger sister struck her in the face before the pair fled.
Items stolen included a gold watch, a bracelet, around £15 in cash and bank cards. Police later recovered the bag after locating it hidden down the back of a sofa at the younger sister’s home on Turnbull Street.
Prosecutors told the court the burglary left the victim feeling frightened and that the experience affected her mental health.
"The burglary affected her mental health and left her feeling scared, shaken and frightened for her safety."
A second violent offence
At a separate hearing, the court was also told that the younger sister carried out a much more serious assault earlier this year. On 30 January, she went to a flat in the Dyke House area believing her partner was inside. When she found he was not there she attacked the woman who lived there, repeatedly punching and then dragging her to the floor.
The victim suffered two broken ribs after being kicked in the chest, injuries the prosecutor described as the result of a sustained and violent attack. The younger sister pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm in relation to that incident, in addition to admitting the earlier burglary alongside her sibling.
Sentences and mitigation
Judge Amanda Rippon accepted that both women had experienced difficult lives but said a custodial sentence was necessary. The elder sister, who has an extensive record of offending, was sentenced to two years and six months in custody. The younger sister received a longer term of four years, reflecting the separate and serious physical injuries caused in January.
| Defendant | Age | Offences | Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donna Stokes | 48 | Burglary with violence | 2 years 6 months |
| Kelly Stokes | 47 | Burglary with violence; actual bodily harm | 4 years |
Court documents disclosed mitigation for both women. One defence lawyer described a long history of substance dependency affecting the younger sister and said she had no previous violent offending. Counsel for the elder sister outlined a history of domestic abuse and subsequent dependence on alcohol and drugs, alongside a long list of prior convictions.
Judge Rippon made it clear that, despite the personal histories put before her, custody was the only appropriate outcome given the seriousness of the offending and the harm caused to the victims.
Local impact
Incidents of violence and household burglary can leave long-lasting effects on local victims and neighbours. For a relatively close-knit community like Hartlepool, headlines of people who were known to each other turning violent in a home are a reminder of the pressures that can manifest as criminality — substance misuse, domestic problems and escalating disputes among acquaintances.
The recovery of the stolen bag in a Turnbull Street sofa underlines how local policing and prompt follow-up can lead to items being recovered and offenders identified. Still, the physical injuries and the psychological toll suffered by victims remain significant.
Those with concerns about community safety or who require support following similar incidents are advised to contact local police or victim support services.
