CPS North East - Domestic Abuse Prosecutions - October 2023

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

• Following the separation of the defendant and his victim, he began emailing and texting her over the next six months. He travelled from his home in Guisborough to the victim’s home in Peterlee, before approaching her in a McDonalds car park and scaring her. The defendant continued to contact the victim via email and telephone, against her express wishes. When later interviewed, the defendant acknowledged contacting the victim, but denied his conduct amounted to harassment and subsequently pleaded not guilty to a charge of harassment without violence. At trial, effective use of remote video suite was used for the victim, due to issues experienced with the defendant at a previous hearing. The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 14 weeks’ custody, prosecution costs of £620, a victim surcharge of £154 and a three-year restraining order not to contact the victim, save via Solicitors or Court.
• The victim, who had previously been in a relationship with the defendant for eleven months, called the police following an incident in which an argument with the defendant had escalated into violence. The defendant threw water at her and grabbed her around the throat for approximately ten seconds. Footage from body worn cameras, captured by attending police, included admissions made by the defendant. He acknowledged that he had grabbed the victim around the throat. The victim’s initial 999 call and her witness statement were also used as evidence in the case. At trial, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge of intentional strangulation and received a suspended sentence order of 13 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 35 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days ordered, alongside the completion of the Building Better Relationships programme.
• The defendant assaulted his partner by grabbing and pushing he, before threatening to deliberately damage her TV. He then brandished a knife at her and made threats to stab her. Following trial, the defendant was convicted of threatening a person with a bladed article in a private place, assault by beating and threats to damage property. The defendant awaits sentencing and the prosecution have made an application for a restraining order to protect the victim.
• The defendant was arrested for burglary and malicious communications against his ex-partner. He was bailed with conditions not to contact her. The defendant then made several phone calls to the victim on a withheld number and sent her a Snapchat friend request from a new account, which he subsequently used to message her. Following trial at the Magistrates’ Court, the defendant was convicted of harassment without violence while he awaited trial at the Crown Court for the other matters. The defendant received an 18-month community order, was ordered to pay costs of £430 and was also made subject to a two-year restraining order.
• During an argument, the defendant bit the face and hand of his partner resulting in minor injuries. The defendant’s partner was not supportive of a prosecution, but the CPS proceeded using evidence from police body-worn video at trial. The defendant was convicted of assault by beating and received a twelve-month community order. He was also ordered to pay a total of £474 costs.