Miss York hurt in nightclub attack

11:00am Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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SHE was the pride of York when she glided down the catwalk in the glamorous Miss England pageant – but just 24 hours later she was the victim of a terrifying assault in her home city.

Beauty queen Helen Jackson had gone to The Gallery night club in York on Saturday evening to celebrate her dazzling performance in London as Miss York.

But her night-out with friends came to a shocking end at about 1am on Sunday when a club-goer tried to strangle her on the dance floor before her boyfriend was smacked over the head with a bottle.

The 19-year-old, of Claxton, said she could not believe what had happened – but was even more astonished when the club’s bouncers threw her boyfriend, Henry Richardson, out of the club.

She said that even when Henry, 23, had reported the assault to police officers outside The Gallery, they did not take down the details and merely told him to get a taxi home.

Today, after The Press contacted North Yorkshire Police, the city’s senior police officer, Chief Superintendent Iain Spittal, stepped in and asked for Helen’s phone number to apologise in person.

A full police investigation into the incident has now been launched.

Helen, who is a law student at the University of Newcastle, said: “It was terrifying. Basically, somebody tried to strangle me on the dance floor.

“I don’t know who he was or if he knew who I was, but he reached out and grabbed hold of my cheeks with one hand and put the other right round my neck.

“I tried to move his hands, but he wouldn’t let go and it was really hurting.

“As soon as Henry saw him, he came over and removed the guy’s hands from me. He’s 6ft 2ins and towered over the guy, but he would never get into any trouble because he’s a trainee solicitor and that would be it for him.”

Helen said she was extremely shaken up, but was determined not to let the incident ruin the evening.

She said: “I was so shocked and really quite scared, but I was with a group of friends and didn’t want to spoil the night, so we carried on dancing. A bit later, I saw a gang of about seven lads walking down towards us. I was shouting at Henry to turn around, but it was too late and one of them smacked him on the back of his head with a bottle.

“They cut his head and he fell to his knees.

“He plays rugby and he’s a big guy – I never thought anybody could do that to him. The next thing I knew the bouncer had got hold of Henry and thrown him out – I couldn’t believe it.

“I was shocked and terrified and the worst bit was almost being accused of it being our fault.”

Helen said she was relieved the police had now launched an investigation into the incident.

She said: “I received a call from the police today and the person I spoke to was really helpful and apologetic.

“He apologised for the police not doing anything on the night and asked if we wanted to lodge an official complaint.”

We contacted The Gallery for comment, but nobody was available to reply.