Stab threats man guilty of drunken flat damage

A 22-year-old has been sentenced after threatening to stab his ex-partner and damaging her home in a drunken fit of anger.
Harry Cottingham, 22, of Palatine Road in Goring, was sentenced at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Thursday, March 9. Picture: Eddie MitchellHarry Cottingham, 22, of Palatine Road in Goring, was sentenced at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Thursday, March 9. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
Harry Cottingham, 22, of Palatine Road in Goring, was sentenced at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Thursday, March 9. Picture: Eddie Mitchell

Harry Cottingham, of Palatine Road in Goring, appeared at Worthing Magistrates’ Court last Thursday after an incident on the night of December 11 at his then-partner’s address in West Street, Worthing.

The court heard how a drunk Cottingham returned to an empty flat and learnt his partner had gone out with friends after calling her.

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Prosecutor Gaynor Byng said Cottingham then called her 15 times and threatened to ‘stab her’ and ‘burn her flat down’, telling her ‘she wouldn’t have a flat to come back to’.

He stabbed the inside of her front door with a knife and burnt an item in her home before being arrested by police. He also shouted abusive language in front of members of the public.

The court heard Cottingham admitted to having ‘15 pints’ that night, as well as taking cocaine. He pleaded guilty to arson, criminal damage, using threatening or abusive behaviour to cause harrassment, alarm or distress and sending a communication conveying a threatening message.

District judge Christopher Adams said: “There is something deeply disturbing about setting fire to items to express your feelings.”

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Cottingham was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 30 rehabilitation days and 160 hours of unpaid work.

He was also banned from contacting or seeing his ex-partner and was ordered to pay her £235 in compensation as well as £170 court costs.

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