Man jailed for threatening sister with a knife

14/09/2012

An alcohol and drug addict, who became obsessed that his sister had abused him as a child, was jailed for nine years for threatening her with a knife.

Victor Bettess, aged 53, from Ackworth Crescent, Luton, chased his sister through her home with an eight-inch carving knife after she unwittingly opened the door to him on New Year's Day this year.

Prosecutor Will Noble told Luton Crown Court on Friday, 14 September 2012, that she crashed into furniture, breaking a toe, in a desperate bid to get away from him and she was only saved from an attack because her husband was able to wrestle the knife off Bettess.

The addict threatened to attack his sister, Lee Alsop, at her home in Trinity Road, Luton, after developing an 'entrenched belief' that she had sexually assaulted him while they were growing up; an allegation investigated and dismissed by police, after they found no evidence to support it.

Judge David Farrell QC said: "You attended the house of your sister, having armed yourself with an eight-inch carving knife.

"Your intention was to confront her about your belief that she had abused you when you were a child.  You sought an apology or, more sinister, some sort of closure.

"I have no doubt that your intention was to threaten her and, if she did not comply, for you to use that knife on her.

"But for the quick and brave actions of her partner, you may have succeeded with your intention of inflicting really serious harm."

The court heard how Bettess had nearly died while on remand after his organs failed following years of substance abuse.

Bettess was found guilty of aggravated burglary by a jury, but admitted affray.

Today at Luton Crown Court he was sentenced to nine-years imprisonment for the burglary, of which he will serve half and he will then be on license for an extended period of eight-years. He was also handed a two-year prison term for the affray, to be served concurrently.

A restraining order banning him from contacting his sister was also put in place for an unlimited time period.

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