Joel Elliott, a 34-year-old resident of Springfield Road in Brighton, has been sentenced to over a decade in prison after pleading guilty to two violent incidents that occurred in the city during October last year.
The Incidents
On October 9, in the early hours of the morning on Trafalgar Street, Elliott aggressively charged towards a man while brandishing a knife. He proceeded to threaten and slash at the victim, causing multiple injuries. Elliott forcibly took the man’s backpack, which contained personal possessions, including a wallet.
Less than two weeks later, on October 22, a woman reported being attacked by Elliott at a Brighton address. In this incident, Elliott attempted to strangle her and held a knife to her throat. His behaviour was described as intimidating, controlling, and threatening.
Legal Proceedings
Elliott was arrested on October 22 in connection with the allegations and charged the following day. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised several charges against him, including grievous bodily harm, robbery, possession of a knife in a public place, rape, threats to kill, assault, threats with a knife in a private dwelling, engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour, and suffocation.
At his plea hearings, Elliott admitted guilt to charges of robbery, possession of a knife in a public place, threats with a knife in a private dwelling, engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour, and suffocation. The prosecutor ordered that the rape charge should lie on file.
Sentencing
On Friday, May 10, Joel Elliott appeared at Lewes Crown Court for sentencing. His Honour Judge Mooney delivered a stern message, saying, “You have an appalling record. It is purely luck which has so far prevented you from causing a death. The sentence that I am imposing is intended to protect the public and to ensure that you are not released until your attitude towards carrying knives has changed.”
Elliott received a total sentence of 10 years and six months imprisonment.
Police Response
Detective Sergeant Victoria Thornton-Green praised the collaborative efforts of multiple departments within Sussex Police. She stated, “A man with complete disregard for the law, who is a danger to the community and who maliciously assaulted people simply because he felt he could, has been removed from the streets. As a direct result, our community is now safer.”
Thornton-Green also expressed gratitude to those who assisted in the investigation, allowing the victims to begin their recovery and move forward with their lives.
