A Bangor man who attacked a woman and stole her van has been jailed.

Sion Williams crashed the vehicle shortly after it was stolen outside Ysbyty Gwynedd in July, leaving a woman needing three stitches in her knee.

He was sentenced to three years and four months after pleading guilty to robbery and driving without insurance.

Caernarfon Crown Court heard Williams suddenly opened the door to the van where a woman was waiting outside the hospital at around 11am on Thursday 11th July.

She was grabbed by the hair and dragged onto the floor, striking her to the face and injuring her knee in an unprovoked attack.

A paramedic came to her aid while Williams fled the scene in her stolen van.

Soon after, police received a 999 call reporting a collision near Beddgelert. Williams had crashed the van into the wall and fled, leaving the damaged vehicle in the road.

Another emergency call came in a short time later when Williams had tried to enter the home of a 74 year-old woman, leaving her frightened and distressed.

At just after 2pm, three hours after the van robbery, police tracked down and arrested Williams.

In court, the 31 year-old from Edmund Street pleaded guilty to all charges, including failing to stop after a collision and failing to report it.

After sentencing on Thursday, Civilian Investigator Stephen Williams from North Wales Police, said: “This was a particularly nasty crime on a vulnerable lone woman in broad daylight hours in hospital grounds where she should have been safe."

“The after-effects have had a significant impact on her and her family, and it will take them a long time to move on from Williams’ violent actions."

“It is lucky that these kinds of offence are incredibly rare, and we apprehended the suspect quickly.”