Case Result: Harassment Conviction (Assault Charges Dropped)

The defendant initially faced a serious domestic violence indictment involving multiple counts:

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Controlling or Coercive Behaviour in an Intimate or Family Relationship.

‍Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (ABH).* Damaging Property (x2).* Putting a Person in Fear of Violence by Harassment (x2).

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The allegations painted a picture of sustained abuse, threats, and physical violence following a relationship breakdown.

The prosecution alleged that following the separation from his partner, the defendant repeatedly followed the victim and her children as they moved addresses. The evidence included repeated messages and calls despite the separation.

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More seriously, the victim alleged that the defendant had made threats to kill her and the children, and had physically assaulted her by punching her in the face, causing swelling and redness. The Crown sought to prove a pattern of coercive control and physical violence.

Basis of Plea Strategy

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The defence team, led by Fosia Jury and Meltem Asenova, rigorously examined the history of the relationship. We advised the client to enter a Guilty plea on a specific "Basis of Plea".

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The basis accepted that while some messages were abusive and the defendant did attend the victim's address, the relationship was actually ongoing during the alleged period. By establishing this context, we successfully negotiated with the prosecution to accept a plea to the Harassment charge only. Crucially, this meant the charges for Coercive Behaviour, ABH, and Criminal Damage were not pursued to conviction.

Sentencing Outcome

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On 22 August 2024, the case concluded at Manchester Crown Court.

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The defendant was sentenced solely for "Putting a Person in Fear of Violence by Harassment," with the remaining charges left on file. He received a sentence of 12 months imprisonment and was made subject to an Interim Restraining Order. This outcome avoided the significantly longer sentence that would have accompanied a conviction for Coercive Control and Assault.