'Dangerous' repeat Northamptonshire offender locked up for seven years for string of violent crime

A 'dangerous' repeat offender has been jailed for seven years for robbing a man at knifepoint in his home in front of his family.

Charles Dickie, of Ericsson Close, Daventry, appealed at Northampton Crown Court yesterday (April 30) that he had seen the errors of his way and wanted to turn his back on years of violent offending.

But when he was told he would spend the next seven and a half years in prison, the 32-year-old swore at the judge and left the hearing barking homophobic slurs.

Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane said in sentencing: "I consider you pose a high risk to members of the public.

"You pose a significant risk of harm to specific adults.

"You use violence not only in reckless situations but also to gain control over others and maintain a reputation."

It comes after a frightening attack in January this year when Dickie burst into a man's home wearing a face covering and brandishing a knife while the victim slept.

He held the man at knifepoint in front of his partner while making stabbing gestures at him and demanding he hand over a stash of cannabis.

Before making off with the drugs, Dickie slashed the victim in the arm causing a deep wound that needed emergency surgery. It is understood children were in the house during the offence.

The 32-year-old was also sentenced for an unprovoked attack in 2019 where he and another defendant - Brogan Everiss, 22, of HMP Peterborough - lashed out at three drunk polish men and told them to "go back where you came from".

One of the victims was punched unconscious in the attack, who then fell and hit his head on a doorstep, an injury that reportedly still causes memory problems to this day.

The 32-year-old has been sentenced for a string of offences in the past, including an incident of religiously aggravated offence against an Muslim taxi driver in 2012.

Other offences have included carrying a bladed article, theft, robbery, ABH and wounding.

In court, Dickie's defence barrister, Mr Paul Webb, said the 32-year-old had freed himself of a 'drug habit' and wanted to "put a stop" to his criminal lifestyle before he "ends up in prison for life".

But Judge Crane was unmoved. She ruled Dickie was "dangerous" and posed a risk to the public, before jailing him for seven and a half years. He also faces a five year extended license period when he is released.