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A man has been handed a three-year restraining order after admitting hitting his former partner after a night out in King’s Lynn.
Alan Taylor, age 54, of Wimpole Drive, South Wootton, appeared before Norwich Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday 28 January 2025) and was made subject to a restraining order until 21 January 2028.
He was also given a community order to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, comply with a 60-day Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay costs.
Taylor admitted one charge of assault ABH on 29 October 2023 at a hearing at Great Yarmouth Magistrates’ Court on 5 December 2024.
The court heard how Taylor assaulted his now former partner outside a Halloween party at a property in King’s Lynn after they disagreed about when they should leave – Taylor wanted to return home at 10pm but she wanted to remain at the event with friends.
An hour later, Taylor told the victim it was time to leave the party and although reluctant to leave, she agreed but they continued to argue outside.
The victim told officers how she walked across the road after telling Taylor the relationship “needed to end” when she turned around, and felt a force to her face that knocked her to the ground. She suffered a black eye and injuries to her face in the assault and a woman, who was passing by, rushed to help.
On 21 March 2024, Taylor was charged with one count of assault on 29 October 2023 and another of controlling or coercive behaviour between 1 January 2020 and 29 October 2023. However, due to an administrative CPS error, the controlling or coercive behaviour case was not able to proceed.
In her victim personal statement, which the victim read out in court today (Tuesday 28 January 2025), she said: “I would like to address the court first and state that due to a CPS admin error, by their own admission, the original investigation for assault and controlling and coercive behaviour, which they charged Alan for back in March 2024 could not be heard in court in December 2024. The court case could only proceed with the assault evidence, meaning that I could not talk about my experience or have my voice heard.
“Since the breakdown of the relationship in October 2023 I have suffered emotionally - I struggled to leave my house, and I still do. I feel embarrassed people know about what happened to us, and ashamed that I let him do this to me. Alan seems to have no problem telling people his version of events, as I have had to try and maintain some dignity and say nothing as it is too shameful for me. I am a bag of nerves, I cannot sleep.
“The thought of seeing him makes me panic and feel sick…when I do see him, I feel worthless, I recall the threats he made to me, and how I am thick, mad and useless…he had told me he was going to destroy me, and I felt so scared, so ashamed, like no one will ever love me or believe me…
“I intend to take my experience and help those who have suffered from domestic abuse or assaulted by their partners. I want to stand up against violence towards women, and show other women who are suffering abuse, who have suffered mentally and physically, that we do have a voice, that we are not "mad", that we are strong that we are human beings that deserve to be treated with respect, and that people do believe us. The courage and strength it takes to come forward is the first step towards being free.”
PC Heidi Hollington, who led the investigation for Norfolk Police, said: “We must always listen to the voice of the victim who, in this case, felt silenced. She decided to speak up and I do not underestimate the strength, courage and determination it must have taken her to do that. She deserves our thanks."