PENRITH WOMAN DENIES VIOLENCE AS POLICE SEEK PROTECTION ORDER
MAGISTRATES have approved a domestic violence protection order following an application by Cumbria Police.It was imposed on 38-year-old Sarah Johnstone, who denied the allegations of violence that were put before magistrates at Carlisle’s Rickergate court.
A police officer outlined the police application, explaining that Johnstone had been in a ten-year relationship which had recently ended.
The purpose of the application was to protect her former partner.
“Violence within the relationship appears to have been mainly when they were still in an intimate relationship and residing with each other,” said the officer.
One incident happened on February 8 when Johnstone was arrested on suspicion of assaulting her partner by punching her in the face, leaving her with a black eye and bruising to her arms and body, said the officer.
That incident resulted in a no-further-action decision.
There were also other calls to the police about alleged physical violence, and in mid-August Johnstone had called the police to say she was concerned about her former partner’s mental health.
When police spoke to the woman she was intoxicated and incoherent, though Johnstone’s contact with the woman was itself a breach of her non-contact bail conditions.
Johnstone, of Pategill Road, Penrith, was also arrested on suspicion of subjecting her partner to coercive and controlling behaviour but the alleged victim did not provide a statement as she did not wish to get the defendant into trouble, the court heard.
“All she wished for was an end to the relationship,” added the officer.
In court, Johnstone told magistrates: “I have never been violent – never.” Magistrates granted the order for 28 days, which means Johnstone can have no contact with the woman throughout that period.
Such orders are decided on "the balance of probabilities".
They are civil court orders and not convictions, though breaching one is a crime.
The idea is to give people in troubled relationships "breathing space" so they can seek support, help and guidance.
Magistrates ruled that the order was necessary and proportionate to protect Johnstone's former partner.
