Teenage thug who threatened to stab man in Northampton and poured drink over his head locked up

A violent teenager who threatened to stab a man in Northampton and then tried to stop him contacting the police has been locked up.
Declan FranklinDeclan Franklin
Declan Franklin

Declan Franklin, aged 18, appeared at Northampton Crown Court for sentencing after he admitted carrying out two charges of assault, theft, threatening a man with a knife and witness intimidation.

The court heard Franklin, who has 21 previous convictions for offences including robbery, burglary and theft, stole a bike from a man in Abington Street, Northampton on November 25.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Franklin, who was accompanied by another man, admitted punching the victim.

When the pair were approached by a witness who saw the theft, Franklin then pushed him and his accomplice punched him in the face.

The court heard Franklin, who was accompanied by the same man, then saw the witness a few days later in Northampton Bus Station.

Franklin shouted at the man and then held a knife to his stomach and insulted him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His Honour Judge Timothy Smith heard Franklin then punched him and carried out further “humiliation” by pouring a drink over his head.

Franklin also admitted a charge of witness intimidation related to an incident a short time later when he again saw the witness and he told him to “drop the charges”.

The court heard Franklin told the if the man picked him out in an ID parade he would “get his boys to find him and stab him.”

Judge Smith said the witness intimidation was a “seriously aggravating” feature of the case that had left the victim feeling fearful and worried about going outside.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Franklin, of Loyd Road, Abington, was sentenced to 19 months in a youth offending institution for the witness intimidation and 19 months for using a knife to threaten the man , to be served consecutively. He was also give a further four months, also to be served consecutively for theft and assault.

Judge Smith said he is likely to serve half his three-and-a-half year sentence behind bars before being released on licence.