A Brighton man, Oliver Phipps, 39, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for a violent incident following a three-hour confrontation with Police in High Street, Brighton, on August 24, 2023. The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight, involved Phipps assaulting and threatening a woman, prompting a police response.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers found Phipps perched on a ninth-storey window ledge brandishing two large knives. Negotiators worked for approximately three hours to de-escalate the situation as Phipps threw various objects, including a mirror and a bedside cabinet, from the window.
Following his eventual descent from the ledge in the early hours of the morning, Phipps was taken into custody. He faced charges including two counts of causing actual bodily harm, affray, criminal damage, and intentional strangulation.
Phipps pleaded guilty to affray, criminal damage, and one count of causing actual bodily harm, while being found guilty of intentional strangulation. He was, however, acquitted of one count of causing actual bodily harm.
The sentencing took place at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, April 12, where Phipps received his prison term.
Detective Constable Stewart Cameron said: “Oliver Phipps is a dangerous offender, whose reckless behaviour endangered the lives of his victim, the officers at the scene and himself.
“It is testament to the work of the specialist negotiators on the morning of 24 August last year that this incident did not have a tragic outcome.
“I would also like to commend the victim for supporting this investigation throughout, and the quick-thinking member of the public who reported the assault.
“If you or someone you know is a victim of violence, please report it online or via 101. If it is as an emergency, always dial 999.”
