MERSEYSIDE Police have arrested 20 suspects across the region as part of a crackdown on domestic abuse in the last two weeks.
Over the last two Thursday, June 20 and 27, teams of local officers, led by Merseyside Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People unit, travelled across St Helens, Knowsley, Wirral, Liverpool and Sefton, as part of Operation Cassia, a police operation to arrest people we believe are responsible for both recent and historical cases of domestic abuse.
As a result, men and women suspected of offences including assaults, coercive behaviour and stalking, were detained.
Sam McCormack, 32, of Bath Street, Southport was charged with domestic-related Section 39 assault, criminal damage and burglary. He was remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 19 July.
Carl Dillon, 38, of no fixed address, was charged with 12 offences including criminal damage, stalking, breach of a molestation order, and assault. He appeared at Merseyside Domestic Violence court on Thursday, June 27, and was further remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Friday, July 5.
• A 39-year-old man from Poulton was arrested on suspicion of common assault, controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate/family relationship, intentional strangulation, stalking involving fear of violence and threat of damage to property. He has been conditionally bailed.
• A 49-year-old man from Maghull was arrested on suspicion of harassment and breach of a non-molestation order. He has been conditionally bailed
• A 29-year-old man from Poulton was arrested on suspicion of ABH, controlling/coercive behaviour. He has been conditionally bailed and inquiries are ongoing.
• A 19-year-old man from Liscard was arrested on suspicion of controlling/coercive behaviour. He has been conditionally bailed.
Others suspects were arrested in connection with allegations. These included suspected affray, possession of an offensive weapon, malicious communications, assault, actual bodily harm, harassment and criminal damage.
Domestic Violence Protection Notices and non-molestation orders were also issued to offenders, allowing for protective measures to be brought in for victims.
Detective Chief Inspector Sue Hinds said: “Domestic abuse comes in many forms, it isn’t just physical – it can be emotional, sexual, financial or controlling behaviour and it can happen to anyone, regardless of gender.
“I would encourage people to please have the courage to come forward and talk to us or the partners we work with if you are a victim of domestic abuse, or you believe a friend or family member is at risk so we can protect those at risk and bring perpetrators to justice.”