Man sentenced to prison for GBH with intent and weapon offence – Wokingham

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been jailed for inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

Dennis Clift, aged 49, of Ashridge Road, Wokingham, was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict of the offences following a trial lasting four days at Reading Crown Court, which concluded on 18 November.

Returning to the same court for sentencing on Monday (3/2), Clift was sentenced to a total of eight years’ imprisonment.

On 4 April 2021, Clift got involved in a verbal exchange with the victim, who was not known to him, on Davis Road, Hurst, Wokingham.

Clift leant into the victim’s open car window, where he was sitting in the drivers’ seat, before slashing him across the face with a knife.

The victim, now aged 32, received a long cut to his face, which required medical treatment.

Clift was arrested on the same day, and following an investigation, was charged on 6 September 2021.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Clare Hickman, of Loddon Valley CID, said: “This was a horrific assault on a member of the public, which left the victim with a significant facial injury.

“There can be absolutely no excuse whatsoever for Clift’s violent actions, and I am pleased that the courts have reflected the severity of this offence with a lengthy prison sentence.

“I would like to pay tribute to, and thank the victim, for his patience while this case was investigated. It took some time to bring Clift to court for this offence, but I hope that this sentence will help to provide some reassurance to our communities that we will not tolerate such violence.

“I also hope that the victim can put this incident behind him and move on with his life in the knowledge that his attacker will be in prison for several years.”

KB

Dennis Clift