TARA CONLON – COLBURN/CATTERICK/RICHMOND, NORTH YORKSHIRE

❌TARA CONLON – COLBURN/CATTERICK/RICHMOND, NORTH YORKSHIRE❌

Former Soldier Receives Suspended Sentence After Violent Attack on Disabled Neighbour

A 36-year-old former soldier from Colburn has been given a suspended prison sentence after violently assaulting her disabled neighbour and attacking two police officers.

Tara Conlon, previously of Beechwood Grove and now living on Dean Close, was sentenced at York Magistrates’ Court on June 10. The court heard that on April 25, Conlon entered her neighbour’s home in the Woodside Chase estate and launched a sustained assault. The victim, who uses a walking stick following a back injury, was repeatedly punched, kicked, and bitten. The neighbour suffered a broken nose, bruising around both eyes, swelling and cuts to her head and face, a cut and swollen finger from a bite, and a lump on her forehead.

Prosecutor Alison Whiteley explained that Conlon dragged the victim across the room and kicked her multiple times in the back and stomach, fully aware of her physical vulnerability. When police arrived, the victim was still lying on the floor, crying and in shock. Conlon had left the scene.

After being taken into custody, Conlon continued her aggressive behaviour. She kicked a police constable in the stomach multiple times, attempted to tie a jumper around her neck in an apparent act of self-harm, and bit an officer twice during a struggle in her cell.

During police questioning, Conlon admitted to attacking her neighbour, describing her own behaviour as having been “like an animal,” but initially denied assaulting the officers.

The court also heard about a prior incident on January 13, when Conlon confronted her neighbour at a local Co-op following a previous disagreement. During that encounter, she shouted threats including, “I’m going to floor you where you stand” and, according to the victim, “I’m going to kill you.” A shop assistant witnessed Conlon’s aggressive behaviour and reported that the neighbour appeared cowering and fearful.

Conlon has no previous convictions but had received two cautions for harassment and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Her solicitor noted that Conlon had served in the army and now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She currently receives personal independence payments and Universal Credit, and the incident followed a “loss of emotional control.”

The magistrates acknowledged the seriousness of the offences and the severe impact on the victims but decided there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. Conlon was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and must complete up to 24 rehabilitation activity days under probation supervision. She was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to her neighbour and £50 each to the two officers she assaulted while in custody.

The court emphasised that while the attack had been extremely frightening for the victims, Conlon now has the opportunity to address her behaviour and receive the support she needs.