Lee Palmer had a historical past of ‘threatening behaviour’ in direction of the feminine sufferer who has been left in a state of ‘fixed fear’ because of his actions
A person with a historical past of violent behaviour shouted: “I am going to stab you” at his neighbour whereas brandishing a knife at her residence, a courtroom heard. The sufferer mentioned she has suffered sleepless nights because the incident and is in a state of “fixed fear” after the actions of 40-year-old Lee Palmer.
Palmer’s violent crimes had been delivered to mild at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Courtroom throughout a trial the place he was discovered responsible of aggravated housebreaking and possessing a knife in a public place. The courtroom heard that on January 17, 2024, throughout a social gathering on the sufferer’s residence, Palmer entered her flat whereas brandishing a small folding knife with a blade measuring roughly three inches.
The sufferer, who was Palmer’s neighbour, was socialising with buddies when she seen somebody exterior her double doorways. As she approached to research Palmer forcefully opened the door and threatened her with the knife, inflicting concern for her security and that of her buddies.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene the place Palmer approached the sufferer with the knife held dangerously near her neck whereas shouting threats and displaying aggressive behaviour.
One of many sufferer’s buddies intervened to guard her resulting in a confrontation that lasted a number of minutes. Don’t miss a courtroom report by signing up to our crime publication right here.
Palmer’s threats escalated as he shouted: “I’ll stab you” earlier than retreating to his personal flat, the place he continued to make noise and threats.
The police had been alerted by involved neighbours who heard the commotion. Officers arrived swiftly and positioned Palmer in his upstairs flat the place he was arrested after a brief standoff.
Throughout a subsequent search of his flat officers found the knife used within the incident and a amount of hashish.
The courtroom heard that Palmer had a historical past of threatening behaviour in direction of the sufferer together with earlier incidents of vandalism and intimidation.
In a sufferer affect assertion the lady mentioned she was deeply affected by Palmer’s actions and expressed concern and nervousness about what he did. She described sleepless nights and fixed fear about encountering Palmer once more and added the stress has strained her friendships and affected her employment.
She mentioned she had been dismissed from work because of her incapability to pay attention.
Palmer of Ash Crescent, Gurnos, was sentenced to 4 years in jail at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Courtroom on Thursday.
The courtroom additionally issued a five-year restraining order to guard the sufferer and key witnesses.
PC Ross Dixon mentioned: “I commend the sufferer for her bravery and resilience within the face of such adversity. I might encourage anybody going through related threats to return ahead and search assist to make it possible for violence resembling this doesn’t go unchallenged.”
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