CPS North East - Domestic Abuse Prosecutions - May 2023

Below are examples of Domestic Abuse cases successfully prosecuted by CPS North East in May:

The parties had been in a relationship for a while and had a young child together. The allegations came to light following an anonymous report made to police by the victim’s friend. The defendant was charged with offences of controlling and coercive behaviour, stalking and assault. This resulted in a six-day Crown Court trial. Despite not making the initial complaint, the victim engaged with the proceedings and remained supportive throughout. At the start of the trial, the victim’s video account was played to the court and she then gave evidence via agreed special measures. The defendant was convicted of controlling and coercive behaviour, stalking and three offences of s47 assault. He was found not guilty of one s47 and one s39 assault. The victim attended the sentencing hearing where she read her Victim Personal Statement to the court. The defendant subsequently received a five-year custodial sentence, and the victim was granted a ten-year restraining order. 

The defendant made threats to an ex-partner that he would upload an indecent image of her unless she paid him money, which he alleged she owed. The victim sadly passed away prior to the defendant being charged but the decision was made that the case could proceed on the available evidence. The defendant pleaded guilty at Crown Court to the offences of disclosing a private sexual photo and blackmail. He was sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment. 

The victim, aged 17 years, and defendant were in a relationship at the time of the incident. Whilst in the company of others at the defendant’s home address, something on the victim’s phone angered him and he became violent towards her. The victim was subjected to a serious assault, which included the use of a knife. She managed to escape the address and seek refuge with a member of the public and police were alerted. The defendant was charged with the offences of s18 wounding and intentional strangulation, and the case was sent to Crown Court. The defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years and one month custody, with a seven year restraining order also imposed. 

The defendant in this case was charged with an offence of common assault against his ex-partner. The incident took place when the defendant attended the victim’s address and became angry, punching the victim, resulting in her suffering a black eye. The victim reported the incident to police the following day. The defendant pleaded not guilty, and the case was listed for trial in the Magistrates’ Court. The victim gave evidence via agreed special measures and the defendant was convicted of assault. He was sentenced to a two-year community order which included unpaid work and rehabilitation and activity requirement (RAR) days. He was also subject to a two-year restraining order. 

The parties were in a relationship for eight months, which ended prior to this incident. On the day in question, the victim was out socialising with a friend when the defendant approached her. She described the mood as ‘initially ok’ but the defendant’s demeanour changed and he attempted to hit her, but was stopped by her friend (the witness). The defendant follows the victim home and, having gained access through an unlocked door, he assaulted her. He was subsequently charged with an offence of common assault. The victim retracted her statement and would not attend court to give evidence. Despite this, the witness (victim’s friend) did attend and gave evidence in open court without special measures. The defendant was convicted and sentenced to a fine and costs. 

The parties were in an “on/off relationship” for four years and have a young child together. They were on holiday when the victim discovered the defendant had brought drugs with him, which resulted in an argument between the pair. The victim called her mother to discuss this, which angered the defendant, resulting in him grabbing the phone and kicking the victim. Police were called. The defendant was charged with assault by beating and pleaded not guilty. The victim attends court to give evidence via agreed special measures. The defendant was found guilty after trial. He was sentenced to a twelve-month community order which included unpaid work and rehabilitation and activity requirement (RAR) days. He was also subject to a two-year restraining order.