Prolific offender jailed for multiple violent crimes in Crawley

Danny Williams was sentenced to 44 months’ imprisonment when he appeared before Lewes Crown Court on May 31 2024.

On September 7, 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, police confirmed.

Police added that a month later, on 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 October 15, 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, police added.

He then went to a 45-year-old woman’s house on 17 October 2022 shortly before 3pm and threatened her, police confirmed.

Williams, 45, of no fixed address, appeared before Lewes Crown Court on 2 February 2024 and pleaded guilty to 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.”