Braintree Olympic prospect jailed for having knife in Colchester

Joseph Little, 18, was seen brandishing the nine-inch blade near Colchester High Street during a night out in the city in March.

Ipswich Crown Court heard there was blood on the knife, which belonged to another person, from somebody who had been “seriously injured” that night.

Little, from Panfield, near Braintree, represented Britain at the 2019 BMX World Championships and was once “not far” from Olympic selection.

Jailed - Joseph Little was seen brandishing a knife in Colchester city centre (Image: Essex Police)

But his father, Matthew, said the teenager lost his way after not making the grade and started suffering from anxiety during the pandemic.

The court heard Little moved to Cambridge in an attempt to live with his mother but things didn’t go to plan and he ended up sleeping on the streets and running drugs for a gang.

Judge Martyn Levett said the defendant was later found by the police in a property containing £2,500 in cash, nine mobile phones and three sets of scales containing drugs residue.

Little, who appeared at court via video link from Norwich prison, was arrested and released on bail before moving to Colchester to begin a new life.

Frightening - Joseph Little was seen brandishing the knife near Colchester High Street (Image: Newsquest)

But during a night out he was caught with a knife and arrested.

“Brandishing a knife in the way you did creates a risk of creating severe disorder,” said Judge Levett.

“You were walking backwards in an erratic and unpredictable manner due to drink or drugs.”

Jailing Little for two years and nine months, the judge said he wanted to send a “stark warning” to those arming themselves with knives.

Jail time - Joseph Little was sentenced to 33 months in prison at Ipswich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “I have to warn you, every weapon carried on the streets poses a risk.

“It only takes a moment of irritation or anger or perceived insult to trigger off something which becomes more serious, and a knife incident can be devastating.”

Little, of St Mary’s Close, Panfield, admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, affray, possession of a bladed article and possession of cocaine.

Charles Myatt, mitigating, said: “He got himself caught up in [trouble] through naivety, idiocy and stupidity, but not because it was his intention.”