An aggressive spouse has been given a sentence for assaulting his wife without reason during a cruise marking their 10th wedding anniversary. Alan Dop, while on a lavish Mediterranean cruise with his spouse last August, physically attacked her, resulting in visible injuries as testified by prosecutor Elen Owen. The violent behavior included kicking, grabbing, shaking, and throwing her across the room, causing harm to her back. The victim felt helpless to seek assistance due to the confined cruise setting.
The violent incident was witnessed by their seven-year-old child. The court learned that Dop and the victim had been in a relationship since 2004 and had been married for a decade, sharing a son together.
Over the past couple of years, Dop’s alcohol consumption had escalated, leading his wife to request him to leave, which he refused. The victim described Dop as highly abusive, especially when under the influence of alcohol, as disclosed in Caernarfon Crown Court.
In a subsequent incident at their residence in Gwynedd after the cruise, the victim, concerned about Dop’s intoxicated state, tried to move him to another room, but he resisted. He then resorted to physical aggression, leaving visible marks on her bicep and neck.
Following the altercation, the victim managed to contact the authorities, who found Dop significantly over the legal alcohol limit upon arrival. Dop admitted to charges of assault causing bodily harm and assault by beating. The victim expressed concerns about the impact of the abuse on their child.
The victim experienced emotional distress and a sense of entrapment after the cruise assault, further exacerbated by subsequent incidents. Dop shifted blame onto the victim, a fact noted by Judge Simon Mills in a pre-sentence report. Dop, previously involved with the RNLI and facing symptoms of PTSD, narrowly avoided a jail term with a 12-month suspended sentence.
Judge Mills admonished Dop for his alcohol dependency, labeling him as “an alcoholic” with the last opportunity to amend his behavior. Dop received a seven-year restraining order to protect the victim, and contact with the child will be supervised through a third party.
For confidential assistance, individuals can contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) offers specialized support for those affected by fatal domestic abuse.
