Dog walker’s sarcastic reply helped her escape knife-wielding attacker

A dog walker’s sarcasm saved her from being robbed by a knife-wielding man who demanded she hand over her poo bags.

Mark Philip Pelling, 33, approached the woman just after 6am in New Bridge, Whitby, in January 2022 before pulling out a large butcher knife.

He threatened the woman, saying he would stab her dog if she did not hand over her small bag she had around her waist.

Realising the bag contained nothing but dog poo bags and treats, Pelling demanded the woman also hand over her purse.

But she replied: ‘What purse? I haven’t got a purse. Who brings a purse on a dog walk at six in the morning?’

Pelling walked away shouting abuse at the woman, and North Yorkshire Police were able to locate him the same day and arrested him.

They found a knife set in his home, with a large black handled butcher-knife missing.

He was jailed at York Crown Court for two years and nine months yesterday.

Detective Constable Sam Rivers, from Scarborough and Ryedale CID, said: ‘A serious offender has been brought to justice in this deeply disturbing case.

‘Credit must be given to the victim whose feeling of safety has naturally been affected by the ordeal.