R v Thl

This case involved allegations of controlling or coercive behaviour, harassment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), and criminal damage arising from a relationship breakdown. The defendant faced five counts following sustained, unwanted contact and alleged violence. The defence represented the client at Manchester Crown Court, negotiating a guilty plea on a limited factual basis. The court imposed a sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment.

The proceedings followed the end of a relationship between the defendant and complainant. Prosecutors alleged a sustained pattern of unwanted contact, including following the complainant, making threats, and incidents of physical violence. These actions were said to have involved both psychological and physical harm over an extended period and resulted in multiple criminal charges.

The defendant admitted to sending abusive messages, attending the complainant’s address, and engaging in conduct that caused fear or distress, while disputing aspects of the prosecution’s case regarding the scale and seriousness of certain allegations. The plea was entered on a limited factual basis, reflecting only the actions accepted by the defendant.

The defendant was charged with:

• Controlling or Coercive Behaviour in an Intimate or Family Relationship
• Putting a Person in Fear of Violence by Harassment
• Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) (x2)
• Criminal Damage (x2)
  He pleaded guilty on a limited basis to Putting a Person in Fear of Violence by Harassment. The prosecution and court accepted this basis, and the remaining counts were left to lie on file.

The defence team, led by solicitor Fosia Jury and paralegal Meltem Asenova, represented the defendant throughout the proceedings. The team conducted a detailed analysis of the prosecution’s evidence and provided legal advice at every stage. They prepared a thorough basis of plea, distinguishing the admitted facts from wider allegations. Working alongside counsel from Libertas Chambers, comprehensive mitigation was presented, focusing on the circumstances of the relationship breakdown and factors specific to the defendant.