An abusive spouse has been given a sentence for physically assaulting his wife without provocation while they were on a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. Alan Dop, who was on the luxury cruise with his wife in August last year, kicked her, resulting in bruising and swelling, as stated by prosecutor Elen Owen. The violent act also involved him grabbing, shaking, and throwing her across the room, causing her back injuries. The victim refrained from seeking help during the cruise due to feeling trapped.
Their seven-year-old son witnessed the assault, which occurred in a relationship that started in 2004, leading to a decade-long marriage and parenthood.
Dop’s alcohol consumption had escalated into a problem over the past two years, prompting his wife to ask him to leave, which he refused. Described as extremely abusive when intoxicated, Dop’s behavior was a concern, as revealed in Caernarfon Crown Court.
Following the cruise incident, at their residence in Gwynedd weeks later, the victim attempted to avoid Dop’s intoxicated state by asking him to move to another room. However, Dop, who had passed out on the sofa, confronted her when she tried to leave with their child’s iPad, resulting in physical confrontation that left visible injuries on her bicep.
After the victim contacted the police, it was discovered that Dop was nearly five times over the legal alcohol limit. He admitted to the charges of assault causing bodily harm and assault by beating. The victim, besides physical harm, was emotionally distressed about the impact of the abuse on their child.
The victim expressed feelings of isolation and being trapped after the cruise assault and experienced further physical and emotional distress in a subsequent incident in September.
During the court proceedings, Dop attempted to shift blame onto the victim, but Judge Simon Mills highlighted Dop’s alcohol-related issues and unacceptable behavior towards the victim. Although showing remorse, Dop narrowly avoided jail time and was given a suspended 12-month sentence, with the judge emphasizing that Dop was on his final opportunity to address his alcohol addiction and aggressive conduct.
Additionally, Dop was issued a seven-year restraining order to protect the victim, and contact with the child would be supervised through a third party.
