Woman's terror as she is attacked while jogging

THE terror of a woman who was attacked in an alleyway by a complete stranger was recounted to Newbury magistrates.

The woman had been out jogging when she was struck by a punch from 22-year-old Aaron William Wallin, the court was told last Thursday, October 1.

Zainab Mohamed, prosecuting, said victim Jolanta Paszko-Bertek had been exercising with her husband when they entered an alleyway off Springfield Lane, Newbury.

There they were confronted by the bizarre sight of Mr Wallin who approached them, adopting a “boxing stance”.

Ms Mohamed added: “[Ms Paszko-Bertek’s) husband got in front of her to protect her as the defendant approached them, behaving like a boxer. They were frightened because he was shouting and swearing at them, adopting a fighting stance and shouting: ‘Come on then’ at them.

“The husband told her to run home and call the police as the defendant was becoming very aggressive. As he swung a punch, she put her arms round her husband. He punched at her husband’s head with a clenched fist and she immediately felt pain in her arm. Just then another male came along and dragged Mr Wallin off them.”

Ms Mohamed said that a gang of children had gathered to watch the commotion and that Mr Wallin, of Ewing Way, Newbury, threatened the couple as he was dragged away, abusing them for being Polish, and shouting: “If you grass me up, I’ll stab you”.

She added: “Although they couldn’t see a knife, they were very frightened as they did not know whether or not he was armed.”

He was later identified by the couple and arrested.

Mr Wallin admitted assaulting Jolanta Paszko-Bertek by beating her on August 17.

Mr Wallin has previous convictions and is currently subject to a community order.

Mike Davis, defending, said: “He has no recollection of this incident. He takes fairly powerful medication and is aware he shouldn’t drink with it, but that’s exactly what he did on this occasion.”

A probation officer told the court that Mr Wallin used to take the illegal designer stimulant drug mephe-drone, also known as M-Cat or Meow, but that he was now abstinent.

Presiding magistrate Helen Gates said: “This was an unprovoked attack on an innocent woman out jogging.”

Mr Wallin was made subject to a further, 12-month community order with 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

In addition he was ordered to pay a £150 criminal courts charge plus £60 costs. Finally, Mr Wallin was ordered to pay £50 compensation to Ms Paszko-Bertek