DV Knows No Bounds

An extra-ordinary saga has been running at Bradford Magistrates Court for some time and one which serves to shed a little more light on the often-hidden subject of domestic violence. The case is unusual in several respects, but most particularly because it finds the tables turned with a respected High Court judge as the defendant.

Following a trip away, Judge James Allen QC returned home hungry and became irritated when his wife was prevented from supplying any sustenance due to her pre-occupation with the 'daily help.' A row erupted during the course of which Melanie Allen, a Deputy Coroner for West Yorkshire, received certain injuries, including to the face. An eight-year-old child in the house at the time became so concerned that they dialled 999 and told police that 'he was trying to kill his wife.' 

The police arrived shortly after Mr Allen had left for his parents home and duly noted injuries to Mrs Allen's face. Mr Allen was subsequently arrested, interviewed and charged with common assault on his wife. The subsequent trial was heard by a District Judge who made it plain that she did not accept the evidence of both parties that the injuries had been self-inflicted and duly convicted Mr Allen.

Following what must have been an extremely interesting PSR process, the District Judge made Mr Allen the subject of a Community Order with a condition of supervision, warning him in the process that she expected full co-operation with the Probation Service as he was 'no longer the master, but rather the servant.' In addition she awarded costs against him of £5,000 for a 'dangerous and unpleasant attack' on his wife. 

Whilst confirming that domestic violence sadly occurs in all strata of society, this case also serves to illustrate a not untypical situation whereby the victim either seeks to alter, minimise or retract their evidence, thus making the job of the prosecution that much more difficult. In such cases it is also quite common for the perpetrator either to be in denial, or intent on significant minimisation. For these reasons attendance on a Domestic Violence groupwork programme would not be appropriate as acceptance of culpability is a pre-requisite.

Clearly the District Judge felt that in this case being sentenced to a period of some serious talking to by a probation officer might be beneficial. In terms of punishment, it would seem most unlikely that he can continue to sit in judgement of others. My sympathy goes out to whichever officer finds themselves having to supervise the case because I think they will certainly have to earn their salary. I don't think Mr Allen is likely to be the most unchallenging and co-operative of probationers. In my experience the middle classes are invariably more trouble.