Man found guilty of beating a woman in Great Yarmouth Street

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 plainclothes 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 captures Ashcroft walking up to the victim, he then runs towards her and as he gets closer to her, kicks her once to the side of her body. She falls backwards and he is holding a mobile phone in his hand, looking like he is recording the scene.

The court heard how Ashcroft then punches the victim to the head three times. Each time he is using a swinging a motion and raises his arm backwards before then hitting her. He then pulls the victim's coat above her head and can be seen punching her to the head area a further four times. A bus then blocks the view of the assault.

A second officer joins the first and arrests 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.”

Report domestic abuse and access advice and support here >>https://www.norfolk.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/how-to-report-domestic-abuse/

Find out more about Project Vigilant>>https://www.norfolk.police.uk/police-forces/norfolk-constabulary/areas/campaigns/campaigns/project-vigilant-keeping-norwich-safer-at-night/ProjectVigilantOverview/