Ashford man given suspended sentence for domestic abuse

KentOnline / KMTV

The 36 year old pled guilty to a number of charges, including engaging in controlling and coercive behavior in an intimate or family relationship.   Roni Glasthal reports.

Transcript

00:00Today, 36-year-old Terry Andrews of Beaver Lane and Ashford, with a total of nine counts,

00:04including but not limited to wound or inflict grievous bodily harm without intent,

00:09intentional strangulation, engaging in controlling or coercive behavior in an intimate or family

00:16relationship, was served a suspended sentence of 24 months, during which he must complete

00:21200 hours of unpaid work towards his community, 26 sessions of the Building Choices program,

00:2710 days of rehabilitation activity requirements, and pay a sum of £1,630 in installments of

00:34£200 a month. Andrews was present in the court for proceedings, along with a victim accompanied

00:40by her aunt and brother, as well as a full public gallery. Early on in proceedings, the

00:46court heard from the prosecutor, reading out at the judge's request, WhatsApp messages included

00:51in evidence reports demonstrating the verbal abuse the victim suffered, including explicit

00:57name-calling and accusations of dishonesty. The court also heard from the victim directly,

01:03reading out a statement in which she closed by saying, I forgive you, not because you deserve

01:08my forgiveness, but because I deserve peace. The defense then shared with the court elements

01:13of Andrews' personal circumstances, stating that he is remorseful for the way the relationship

01:18went, that he has been on bail throughout proceedings and now has full-time employment,

01:23a stable home with his mother who was present in the public gallery, his two children, and a new

01:29partner. When serving the sentence to Andrews, recorder Amy Nicholson expressed that from character

01:35letters read, it is clear he is someone who prior to this was of good, positive character, and that he

01:42should be grateful. So many individuals, knowing full well the charges against him, still wrote in his favor.

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