Man found guilty of beating a woman on street in Great Yarmouth
It happened in May
A man, who repeatedly hit a woman in the head and face in the street, in Great Yarmouth, has been found guilty and sentenced with a community order.
Rhys Ashcroft, 25, of Orford Close, Great Yarmouth, pleaded guilty at Great Yarmouth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (17 June) to assault by beating and being drunk and disorderly and was sentenced to a 12-month community order to complete 40 hours of work. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114.
On 22 May 2026, a plain clothes officer was patrolling on Regent Road as part of Project Vigilant, which focuses on spotting predatory behaviour towards women and vulnerable people in the night-time economy, when he heard a commotion and a man shouting.
The officer then saw Ashcroft strike a woman to the face and head numerous times, at around 9.30pm, as she sat on the floor outside a fast-food restaurant. The officer then restrained Ashcroft, until further officers arrive.
CCTV in Great Yarmouth town centre captured Ashcroft walking up to the victim, he then ran towards her and as he got closer to her, kicked her once to the side of her body. She fell backwards and he was holding a mobile phone in his hand, looking like he was recording the scene.
The court heard how Ashcroft then punched the victim to the head three times. Each time he used a swinging motion and raised his arm backwards before hitting her. He then pulled the victim's coat above her head and was seen punching her to the head area another four times. A bus then blocked the view of the assault.
A second officer joined the first and arrested the defendant on suspicion of assault and being drunk and disorderly in a public space. The court heard Ashcroft was slurring, swearing and using racial slurs.
Sergeant Jack Fry said: “This was a violent and unacceptable assault carried out in a public place. Thanks to the quick actions of officers carrying out proactive patrols as part of Project Vigilant, the offender was swiftly detained and brought to justice. We remain committed to protecting women and vulnerable people and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in our communities.”
Find out more about Project Vigilant here >>https://www.norfolk.police.uk/police-forces/norfolk-constabulary/areas/campaigns/campaigns/project-vigilant-keeping-norwich-safer-at-night/ProjectVigilantOverview/