A man who chased a man down with a knife before stabbing him and just days later held a knife to a woman’s throat, tried to strangle her and has been jailed.

In the first incident, Joel Elliott, 34, charged towards a man while holding a knife in the early hours in Trafalgar Street, Brighton.

Elliott of Springfield Road in Brighton, then threatened and slashed the victim, causing multiple injuries before forcefully taking his backpack from him, which contained a wallet and other belongings. This happened on October 9.

The Argus: The scene after the stabbing in Trafalgar Street, Brighton, last October 9The scene after the stabbing in Trafalgar Street, Brighton, last October 9 (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Less than two weeks later, on October 22, a  woman reported being attacked by Elliott at a Brighton address. Elliott attempted to strangle her and threatened her by holding a knife to her throat. His behaviour was described as intimidating, controlling, and threatening.

Elliott was arrested on October 22 in relation to the allegations and charged the following day.

He was charged with grievous bodily harm, robbery, possession of a knife in a public place, rape, threats to kill, assault, threats with a knife in a private dwelling, engaging in controlling/ coercive behaviour and suffocation.

Elliott appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on October 24, where he was remanded into custody.

The Argus: Joel Elliott has been jailedJoel Elliott has been jailed (Image: Sussex Police)

At his plea hearings, Elliott pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, possession of a knife in a public place, threats with a knife in a private dwelling, engaging in controlling/ coercive behaviour, and suffocation. The pleas were accepted, and the prosecutor ordered that the rape charge should lie on file.

Elliott was sentenced on Friday, May 10, to a total of ten years and six months in jail.

Sentencing him, Judge Stephen Mooney said: "You have an appalling record. It is purely luck which has so far prevented you from causing a death.

"The sentence that I am imposing is intended to protect the public and to ensure that you are not released until your attitude to the carrying of knives has changed."

Detective Sergeant Victoria Thornton-Green said: “A man with complete disregard for the law, who is a danger to the community and who maliciously assaulted people simply because he felt he could, has been removed from the streets, which as a direct result are now a safer place.

“On October 9, 2023, the public came to the aid of the victim, who suffered multiple injuries as a result of Elliott's violent assault. On behalf of the victim, and Sussex Police as a whole, I would like to thank those who assisted, and also those who have helped our wider enquiries that have led us to this result.

“This outcome was made possible through the collaborative efforts of multiple departments within Sussex Police, all of whom worked tirelessly to ensure a thorough investigation and to secure justice for the victims, allowing them to begin their recovery and move forward with their lives."