A man described as dangerous by the police has been jailed for almost four years after a series of violent offences.
Danny Williams, 45, from Crawley, was sentenced by Judge Gary Lucie at Chichester Crown Court last Friday (31 May).
Sussex Police said today (Wednesday 5 June): “A prolific Crawley criminal has been jailed for a spate of violent incidents. Danny Williams was sentenced to 44 months’ imprisonment.
“On Wednesday 7 September 2022, at around 1pm, Williams stole a Mercedes Sprinter van from a delivery driver in Brighton Road and was later identified on CCTV when exiting the vehicle.
“A month later, on Friday 7 October 2022 at 11am, it was heard that Williams strangled a 52-year-old man in an unprovoked attack.
“Police were called following the incident in Broadfield Barton in which, after Williams threatened the man, he attacked his victim.
“On Saturday 15 October 2022, Williams approached another man in Broadfield Barton at around 9pm and asked for money. When the victim, a 32-year-old man, refused, he was threatened with a knife.
“He then went to a 45-year-old woman’s house on Monday 17 October 2022 shortly before 3pm and threatened her.”
Williams pleaded guilty to a series of offences when he appeared in the crown court in February 2024.
The offences included to two counts of threatening someone with a knife, intentional strangulation, common assault, theft of a motor vehicle, driving without a licence and assault by beating.
Inspector Steve Turner 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.”
