Danny Williams, a known offender from Crawley, has been sentenced to 44 months in prison following a series of violent crimes. Williams, 45, appeared before Lewes Crown Court on 31 May 2024, where he faced multiple charges stemming from incidents in late 2022.
The court heard that on 7 September 2022, around 1 pm, Williams stole a Mercedes Sprinter van from a delivery driver on Brighton Road. He was later identified on CCTV exiting the vehicle.
A month later, on 7 October 2022, at 11 am, Williams attacked a 52-year-old man in Broadfield Barton. In an unprovoked assault, Williams strangled the man after threatening him. Police were called to the scene following the incident.
On 15 October 2022, Williams approached a 32-year-old man in Broadfield Barton at around 9 pm, demanding money. When the man refused, Williams threatened him with a knife.
Continuing his spree, Williams went to a 45-year-old woman’s house on 17 October 2022, shortly before 3 pm, and threatened her.
Williams, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a series of charges on 2 February 2024. These included two counts of threatening a person with a knife, intentional strangulation, common assault, theft of a motor vehicle, driving without a licence, and assault by beating.
Chief Inspector Pauline Lane said: “Williams is a dangerous individual and has caused a huge amount of distress in the community and it is fantastic he has been put behind bars.
“Our teams have worked extremely hard to put the case file together and collate the evidence needed to put him before the courts. This shows our commitment to holding criminals to account for their actions.
“Residents of Crawley can be assured that another offender is off the streets and no longer poses any danger.”
