Attacker jailed after threatening and assaulting man in his own home

An attacker who threatened and assaulted a man after demanding money from him has been locked up. 

Delroy Gayle grabbed the victim by the neck and pinned him to a bed, causing pain and bruising, during an incident in the victim’s home in Lobelia Close, St Ann’s, Nottingham, on the morning of 4 August 2023. 

The 54-year-old later stole the victim’s mobile phone and headphones. 

Police were alerted and they went on to arrest Gayle after they spotted a car he was driving on Abbey Bridge, Lenton. 

The car was found unattended a short time later. Gayle ran off but he was swiftly detained following a brief foot chase. 

Gayle, of HMP Lincoln, went on to plead guilty to charges of affray, common assault, theft, and two counts of driving while disqualified. 

He was jailed for 13 months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Monday (5 February 2024). 

Gayle was also made subject of a restraining order and banned from driving for 38 months.   

He denied a count of aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving. The judge ordered that the count lie on the file. 

Detective Constable Demi Robertson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Gayle has shown he is a violent, threatening, and dangerous offender. The public need protecting from him, so I am pleased he has now been removed from our streets.

“While this incident thankfully didn’t result in more serious injury, it caused great distress to those involved. 

“People should be able to live within our communities without suffering violent disorder such as this and we remain committed to bringing offenders like Gayle to justice.”