Doncaster man threatened to kill ex with samurai sword

Darren Daniel, aged 34, broke in to his ex-girlfriend’s home and threatened her while her son was asleep upstairs.

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He began to ‘terrorise’ his ex after their two-year relationship broke down earlier this year.

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On March 25, he forced his way into the woman’s home and attacked her and her 11-year-old son, leaving the boy with head injuries.

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When she reported this to police, she also told officers that on a previous occasion, he had threatened her with a gun.

Over the next few days, Daniel bombarded his ex with calls and Instagram messages, warning that if she didn’t withdraw her complaint ‘things would get bad’.

At 4am on April 5, Daniel and another man broke in to the woman’s house while she and her son were asleep.

Brandishing a samurai sword, Daniel told the victim: “I’m going to kill you.”

After that incident, officers arrested him after finding him hiding in a cupboard in a house in Dunscroft.

DC Stephen Barnes said: “Daniel was coercive, controlling and violent towards his victim. He posed a real risk to her, her son, and her new partner, and I am pleased we were able to locate him and build a strong case which resulted in this sentence.”

After entering a guilty plea, Daniel was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court.

He received a nine-year term for the samurai sword incident and a further two years for earlier assaults on the victim and her child along with witness intimidation and harassment offences, to run consecutively.

DI Anna Sedgwick said: “This sentence has put a violent domestic abuser behind bars.

“His victim has shown incredible amounts of courage in speaking out about the appalling abuse she suffered at the hands of Daniel. Without her bravery, this result would not have been possible.

“I hope anyone who finds themselves in an abusive situation can read this and be encouraged to confide in someone. By telling someone, or approaching the police, the abuser can be dealt with and victims can again feel safe in their own homes.

“We will do all we can to support victims of domestic abuse and bring perpetrators to justice.”

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