Basildon man with Rambo style knife to be released

Jamie Copping, 28, of Oldwyk in Vange, was caught with the knife after being reported to police for domestic violence.

But as the Echo reported earlier this week, the abuse charges were dropped because his partner withdrew support for the prosecution.

He was sentenced on Monday (January 5) for possessing cocaine and cannabis, but was brought back before Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday (January 7) to be sentenced for another outstanding charge.

“On July 12, Mr Copping’s then-partner called the police in relation to allegations of assault and strangulation,” said prosecutor Efstathios Divaris.

“When the police arrived, Mr Copping had already left. His partner drew the attention of the police officers to the knife left at the address – namely, a Rambo style knife with a serrated edge.

“This was seized by the police.”

Defence barrister Michael Edmunds said: “If I can summarise with one sentence: it was not in fact his knife, it was a friend of his, but he accepts that he accepted possession of it and left it at the address.”

Copping was originally also charged with two counts of assaulting his partner, causing her actual bodily harm (ABH), and one count of making threats to kill her.

But, Mr Divaris said on Monday: “The complainant has withdrawn her support for the prosecution.”

Copping was ultimately convicted of possessing cocaine, possessing cannabis and possessing an offensive weapon in a private place.

All three offences were committed while subject to a 22-month suspended sentence for a GBH offence.

He was fined £400 on Monday for the drugs offences.

On Wednesday, Judge Siew Loke further sentenced Copping to three months immediate custody for possessing the Rambo knife.

However, he had already served more than that on remand.

“The time you have served will be taken into account, so that should result in your effective release,” she told him.

She ordered the drugs and knife be destroyed.