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Justin Lee Collins found guilty of harassment but escapes jail
Justin Lee Collins found guilty of harassment but escapes jail
TV presenter and comedian Justin Lee Collins has been found guilty of carrying out a campaign of physical and mental abuse against his ex girlfriend, Anna Larke, after a two-week trial at St. Albans Crown Court.
Cheshire,
UK,
United Kingdom
(sardnews.org)
31/10/2012
TV presenter and comedian Justin Lee Collins has been found guilty of carrying out a campaign of physical and mental abuse against his ex girlfriend, Anna Larke, after a two-week trial at St. Albans Crown Court.
Judge John Plumstead described the crime as 'very serious' against a 'vulnerable' woman. However, although the conviction of a single charge of harassment and causing Miss Larke fear of violence on at least two occasions carries a maximum jail sentence of five years, Mr. Collins was only sentenced to 140 hours of unpaid community service and £3,500 costs.
The sentence has been met with fury by domestic violence charities that have described the sentence of 'derisory'.
Ann Larke testified that she was 'petrified' of Mr. Collins who carried out a campaign of abuse and controlling behaviour. She stated that the abusive behaviour included spitting in her face, pulling her hair, hitting her between her legs and slapping her in the face causing 'hundreds' of bruises. She also testified that he forced her to shut down her email and Facebook accounts, sleep facing towards him, compile a dossier of her former lovers and throw away DVDs starring actors she found attractive. The Court was also played recordings whereby Mr. Collins was heard verbally abusing Miss Larke.
However, due to the evidence given by Mr. Collins' former wife Karen saying he was 'gentle, kind and generous', the Judge deemed his behaviour as 'out of character' and therefore he was not given the maximum sentence.
Judge John Plumstead said: 'This is humbling work for someone who lives a prominent public life, but the very humility that manual work will induce will make you pause and think about what you have done.'
Shortly after his conviction, Collins has further enraged charities and members of the public by laughing and joking with members of the public, indicating a lack of remorse for his actions.
Tina Royles is the UK's leading expert in domestic with over 20 years' experience on the frontline and on a strategic level. She provides domestic violence consultancy to individuals and organisations. She says:
"This case highlights behaviour going on in thousands of homes. The court heard how Justin Lee Collins made his girlfriend throw away DVDs featuring actors she found attractive and made death threats against her.
"The fact he forced her to sleep facing him is a form of ultimate control. He would have wanted to control every area of her life and make himself seem bigger and more important in her eyes.
"It may be that he never had a positive role model for emotional behaviour while growing up, or that deep down he is insecure and vulnerable. But at its core it is about control.
"Some perpetrators of domestic abuse fixate on a partner's sexual history and want to know every single detail.
"Domestic abuse is something we must be up front and vocal about to help other victims come forward. The perpetrator will try to isolate their partner, cut them off from friends and try to manipulate their behaviour.
"This makes it difficult for a victim to make the first step and talk to someone - but it is vital that they do."
Notes to Editors
Tina Royles is one of the UK's most qualified and experienced domestic violence experts providing consultancy and advice to those who have suffered domestic violence, are currently in violent relationships or to friends and family of those affected. Tina provides the domestic violence information, materials and tools to manage relationship difficulties and domestic violence through awareness and education and is regularly called upon by the national and local press to provide expert comments on high profile cases. To find out more about what domestic violence is, click here. Visit Tina Royles website to find out more about domestic violence and the resource available to individuals and organizations.
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About Tina Royles
Tina Royles is one of the UK’s most qualified and experienced domestic violence experts providing consultancy and advice to those who have suffered domestic violence, are currently in violent relationships or to friends and family of those affected.
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