Harley Wardell

Harley Wardell, a 27-year-old man from Flixborough, has been sentenced to nine months in prison with an extended licence period of three years after being convicted of rape and intentional strangulation. The case, heard at Grimsby Crown Court on 30 October 2025, stemmed from a sustained period of abuse inflicted upon a woman over several months.

The ordeal came to light on the morning of 23 July 2024, when Humberside Police officers responded to reports of screaming and shouting at an address on Wesley Street in Scunthorpe at approximately 9am. Upon arrival, officers observed a visibly distressed woman communicating with them through an upstairs window. As they attempted to enter the property, Wardell was seen trying to flee but was quickly detained after a brief foot chase.

During the incident, Wardell had become extremely violent towards the woman, attempting to strangle her and restrict her breathing. In a brave disclosure to the officers, the victim revealed that Wardell had subjected her to repeated physical, sexual, and emotional abuse throughout their relationship. She described being threatened with weapons, punched, kicked, and repeatedly prevented from leaving the property.

The prosecution highlighted the severity of the charges, including the rape and intentional strangulation, which underscored the sexual nature of the offences committed. Wardell, residing at Lammings Close in Flixborough, was formally sentenced following the court's consideration of the evidence presented. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic and sexual abuse, with Humberside Police playing a crucial role in the arrest and subsequent investigation.