‘GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES’
GUNMAN’S CHILLING THREAT TO MAN HE ACCUSED OF TEXTING GIRLFRIEND
A JEALOUS boyfriend put a gun against the head of an old school pal and told him to get on his knees, writes Suzy Gibson.
Jonathan Hickingbottom, pictured, believed his victim had sent a text message to his partner and burst into the victim’s home, armed with two knives and an imitation handgun.
A JEALOUS boyfriend beat and stabbed an old school pal whom he believed had sent a text message to his partner.
Jonathan Hickingbottom burst into the victim’s home, in Market Harbrough, bent on causing fear and violence.
The 27-year-old armed himself with two knives and an imitation handgun before calling at an address in Farndon Road on Tuesday, July 14, last year, Leicester Crown Court was told.
Hickingbottom, pictured, held the firearm and a knife in each hand, saying “don’t make me use these” and ordering the victim into his bedroom, said Richard Gibbs, prosecuting.
Hickingbottom accused the victim of having messaged his girlfriend, which was vehemently denied, Mr Gibbs said.
Hickingbottom slashed at the victim, whom he knew from school days, before biting his face.
There was a struggle as Hickingbottom, a father-of-two, tried to throttle the victim and repeatedly jabbed him on the head with the gun.
He also stabbed the victim’s knee, causing a wound that bled profusely, which Hickingbottom was said to have found “amusing”.
Striking him again on the head with the gun, he told the victim to get on his hands and knees.
“The victim was extremely fearful at that stage,” said the prosecutor, “but the defendant suddenly desisted and walked out.”
Judge Keith Raynor said: “That must have been an utterly terrifying moment, when a person is told by a man wielding a gun over them to get on their hands and knees – there’s a legitimate expectation of being shot.”
The judge said the incident was a “pre-planned, sustained and repeated” attack.
The victim needed five stitches to a knee wound and further hospital treatment for other cuts on his face, ankle and arm, as well as a bite mark near his eye.
The victim’s girlfriend, who was present when Hickingbottom stormed into the home, fled the scene in fear.
The couple were both left deeply traumatised and distressed by the home invasion and suffered sleepless nights afterwards, the court heard.
Hickingbottom, of Marmion Close, Market Harborough, admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing two knives and unlawful wounding.
SECOND INCIDENT INVOLVING VIOLENCE
He was also sentenced for another, unrelated, incident on Friday, November 29, 2019, having earlier admitted causing actual bodily harm, assaulting an emergency worker, possessing cannabis and theft of £20.
Mr Gibbs said that on that occasion, Hickingbottom attacked a man following a verbal exchange at a cashpoint in the town centre.
The victim, who had earlier been drinking in the same pub as Hickingbottom, asked if he was “okay”.
Hickingbottom’s response was to turn nasty, hurl abuse, take off his T-shirt and then remove his belt, which he used to beat the man before chasing after him, punching him to the ground and kicking him twice in the face, causing cuts and bruises that required medical attention.
Hickingbottom pocketed a £20 note dropped by the victim, who was left emotionally distraught and fearful.
He was still aggressive when a police officer approached, challenging the constable to fight, making threats and resisting arrest.
A small amount of cannabis was seized from his pocket when he was detained.
‘A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF HARM TO THE PUBLIC’
Judge Raynor said Hickingbottom, who has previous convictions for battery and two offences of making threats to kill, represented a substantial risk of harm to the public in the future.
He said he accepted the defendant’s ADHD contributed to his sudden angry outbursts.
Shital Maher, mitigating, said no firearm was discharged during the incident at the house and the encounter fell short of endangering life, “but there was an intent to cause fear or distress”.
She said that Hickingbottom had been receiving mental health treatment in custody while awaiting his case to come to court.
The defendant was jailed for a total of five-and-a-half years and told he will have to serve three quarters of the term before the Parole Board would consider his eligibility for release.
His licence period was extended by an additional two years.
‘A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF HARM TO THE PUBLIC’
Detective Constable Robin Bonell, the investigating officer in the case, said: “The victim in the Farndon Road assault was very lucky to have not been more seriously injured as we believe the intent was to cause him more harm than what was inflicted.
“Hickingbottom went there knowing he had the use of an imitation firearm and knife, just shows the extent and level of violence he intended to use.
“I am very grateful for the support of a number of different teams across the force, assisting in the apprehension of the suspect and his arrest.
“I am pleased Hickingbottom has admitted to the offences and spared the victims the ordeal of reliving the events of last year in the court room.”