GIPTON MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON AFTER KNIFE THREATS AND ASSAULT ON EX
William Foley, a 25-year-old man from Coldcotes Grove in Gipton, was involved in a violent incident where he went to his ex-partner's home after seeing a post she shared on Snapchat.He forcefully gained entry by kicking her door down, which caused it to come off its hinges.
During the confrontation, Foley retrieved a approximately 30cm long knife from the kitchen and then followed his partner and her sister out of the house while brandishing the weapon.
He swung the knife towards his ex-partner before fleeing the scene.
Attempts by police to locate Foley and the knife initially failed, but later at around midnight, he was found hiding in a neighbor's garden laying on a trampoline wrapped in a blanket.
The weapon has never been recovered.
Foley, who has previous convictions including an assault on the same victim, admitted to using violence to gain entry and threatening her with a bladed article in both public and private settings on the day of his trial.
The victim did not support the prosecution's case.
The court sentenced Foley to 21 months in prison, acknowledging his ADHD and alcohol use as factors but emphasizing that these did not justify his actions.
The judge described his actions as part of a pattern of immaturity and noted that Foley is at a turning point in his life, with a young son, and engaging in positive efforts like arts and crafts for his child.
