Man threatened to kill woman at knifepoint

A "dangerous" man who held a woman at knifepoint and threatened to kill her twice has been jailed.

Claudio Stroud, 23, of Tennyson Street, Swindon, also attempted to strangle the victim, in her 20s, and assaulted two police officers who tried to arrest him.

He denied multiple charges but was found guilty at trial and sentenced to four years and nine months in prison.

"This case shows that we will always investigate, victims will be heard, and perpetrators put before the courts," said Wiltshire Police investigator Catherine Baird.

Stroud seriously assaulted the woman between 20 March and 23 March 2023 when he was on licence from prison due to similar crimes against a different victim, Wiltshire Police said.

He was arrested on 23 March 2023, fracturing the finger of one officer and spraining the wrist of another as he was detained.

Stroud was charged after statements, photos of injuries, abusive messages and recordings were given to police by the victim and family members.

At trial he was found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour, threats to kill, two counts of actual bodily harm, two counts of threatening with an offensive weapon in a private place, and two counts of assault of an emergency worker.

"I want to highlight and emphasise the bravery of the victim in this case – without her courage and her victim impact statement, we wouldn't have been able to secure this conviction and sentence," Ms Baird said.

"Stroud's behaviour has had a significant impact on the victim, and I hope this sentence and restraining order will give her some form of closure and allow her to start moving on with her life."

During the sentencing hearing at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, Stroud was also handed an extended licence period of two years and a 10-year restraining order.

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