A drug-troubled man is jailed after assaulting and threatening to kill his niece in Sheffield

Jordan Hanson, aged 38, of no fixed address, had visited his grandmother’s home in Sheffield but when he was asked to leave by his niece he armed himself with a knife before assaulting her and threatening to kill her, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

Brian Outhwaite, prosecuting, said: “The complainant is the niece of the defendant. She was at home on June 12 where she lives with her grandmother.

“The defendant has not lived there but arrived at that address on that particular day wanting a shower and something to eat and then went to sleep.”

Mr Outhwaite added Hanson went to sleep in his niece’s grandmother’s bed and his niece was concerned about any possible Covid-19 infection so he was asked to leave.

But Hanson became aggressive and got a knife and asked if his niece wanted him to kill himself before he cut his neck, according to Mr Outhwaite.

Mr Outhwaite said Hanson pushed his niece against a radiator, threw a shoe at her head and said he was going to kill her.

He added: “The defendant said he was coming for her and in fear she jumped out of a ground floor kitchen window and she telephoned police and they arrived.”

Hanson, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and to making threats to kill after the incident on June 12.

The complainant stated she is scared what Hanson might do when he is under the influence of drugs.

However, Lucy Hogarth, defending, confirmed Hanson’s niece is supportive and sympathetic of Hanson’s circumstances.

Ms Hogarth added Hanson has been receiving support from drug workers and a mental health team.

Hanson understands the effect his behaviour has on others and he has expressed remorse, according to Ms Hogarth.

Judge Michael Slater told Hanson: “Injuries caused by you to your niece weren’t severe although they were unpleasant and it must have been a very frightening incident for her particularly because she saw the need to jump out of a window.”

Judge Slater sentenced Hanson to 14 months in custody.

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