Bransgore man jailed over incidents in Sway and New Milton

A BRANSGORE man has been jailed for 16 weeks after admitting a number of charges for incidents in Sway and New Milton.

Todd Cooper (26), of Thorney Hill, pleaded guilty to one count of ABH assault, two of using abusive or threatening behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress, and one of causing criminal damage.

Southampton Magistrates Court heard that Cooper assaulted a woman at an address in Sway on Tuesday 8th September before making threats to harm her almost a month later. The court also heard Cooper caused damage to a property at an address in Gore Road, New Milton – and made subsequent threats to kill a person who had seen the incident.

He was given 16 weeks’ imprisonment for ABH assault, including a restraining order not to contact the victim; eight weeks for using abusive or threatening behaviour causing harassment; eight weeks for using abusive or threatening behaviour causing harassment, including a two-year restraining order not to contact the victim; and four weeks for causing criminal damage, including paying £500 compensation. The prison sentences were to be served concurrently.

Following the sentencing, New Forest district commander, Chief Inspector Helen Andrews, said she was pleased justice had been served.

“This is a great result for those individuals who have been personally affected by the crimes committed by Cooper. We hope that this will go some way to comfort them and to see that the judge had handed down a sentence befitting of his crimes.

“We are thankful to all of those officers involved in bringing these charges to court and playing a key role in stopping his offending. No one should be abused in their own home or made to feel threatened and fearful for their life while out in public.

"We hope that this sends out a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated and that those who commit them will face the full extent of the law and be brought to justice.”