A man has appeared in court charged with eleven offences following an incident in Swindon on Tuesday.
Stefan Shermar Williams, 24, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning having been remanded in custody since his arrest on 25 May.
He was charged with the following offences: attempted burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH), false imprisonment, sexual assault, possession of a zombie knife, threats to kill (x3), assault by beating (x3) and criminal damage.
Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger said it’s alleged that the defendant, of Newton Way, Penhill, had fallen out with his friend before threatening him in a phone call.
He’s said to have then attended the man’s home address where he attempted to kick through the door whilst armed with a zombie knife – a large knife with a serrated edge.
On hearing the commotion, a neighbour is said to have come out in the communal area where Williams is alleged to have then forced access into her flat before holding the knife to her neck and threatening to kill her.
He’s also alleged to have made threats to kill his friend and his girlfriend.
It’s claimed the defendant, whilst in the neighbour’s flat, rubbed the legs of a woman inside with his hands and asked for a threesome.
During the incident, he allegedly held them inside against their will until sirens were heard. He’s said to have then hidden the knife and made off.
Two of the eleven offences were indictable only, meaning they can only be heard in the crown court. All charges, due to them deriving out of the same incident, will be heard together.
Mark Glendenning, defending, said Williams does not wish to indicate a plea. However, he said his client accepts he was in possession of the knife and denies the offences alleged to have happened inside the neighbour’s flat.
Magistrates decided him “too high a risk” to release on bail, so they remanded him into custody to appear before Swindon Crown Court in June.
