A Trowbridge man has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for possession of a knife and assaulting and intimidating a witness.
Christopher Ford, 23, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court yesterday.
On 4 February 2017, Ford assaulted a 24-year-old man in Sainsbury’s, British Row. The victim was a witness in a case against Ford. The victim sustained bruising and soreness to his face and ribs.
Then, at 10.15pm on 6 February 2017, police were called to a report that two men were trying to break in to an address in Hollybush Close, Winsley.
Two officers attended the scene and saw two men running from the address. Following a foot chase, both men were caught and detained – one of these men was Ford. He was found with a knife in his possession, which he attempted to dispose of during arrest as he struggled with officers.
Sgt Gill Hughes said: “This was a really good result by two of our Community Policing Team officers who were able to catch up with Ford after he ran from the scene and make a quick arrest.
“I am pleased with the sentence handed out to Ford – as mentioned by the Judge in Court, it sends a clear message that it is unacceptable to carry a knife on your possession.
“The custodial sentence also shows that the courts will protect witnesses from intimidation – the victim in the first incident was a witness to a previous offence and Ford’s behaviour was an attempt to intimidate him, in a supermarket in front of other customers, many of whom had young children with them. We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.”
