A judge told the 49-year-old he should feel ‘deep shame’ at what he did
The assault happened during a family holiday in Solva(Image: John Myers)
A husband punched his wife in the face during a caravan holiday in west Wales, a court has heard. Oil rig worker Alan Hall attacked his partner after getting drunk at a barbecue with friends, resulting in police being called.
A judge told the 49-year-old defendant that he should feel “deep shame” for what he did, and for the resulting impact on his family.
Swansea Crown Court heard the incident happened in August, 2023, during a family holiday in a caravan in Solva, Pembrokeshire.
The court heard an intoxicated Hall grabbed his wife and pushed her onto the sofa in their caravan before punching her to the nose.
The wife told the defendant to leave and he packed his bags, but the altercation then resumed and culminated in Hall being hit over the head with an empty wine bottle by another person in the caravan.
The court heard that while at the caravan site Hall also kicked a child to the back of the legs. For the latest court stories sign up to our crime newsletter
The police were called and the defendant was arrested. Officers noted that people in the caravan were in a state of “distress”.
In his subsequent interview Hall said the family had been to a barbecue with friends where people had been drinking.
The defendant accepted being drunk and said he could not remember what had happened in the caravan, though he denied assaulting anyone.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the defendant’s now ex-partner said she suffered bruises to her arm and shoulder and a painful nose in the assault.
She said she had to increase the level of her anxiety and depression medication following the incident and “always feels on edge” when she leaves the house. She said the caravan assault “continues to have an emotional impact”.
The court heard the complainant gave police a statement at the time of the assault but was then not supportive of the assault until July last year when she gave officers a new statement. The defendant was subsequently charged in February this year.
Alan Hall, aged 49, of South Road, Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions.
James Hartson, for Hall, said “the stresses and strains” of life combined with the consumption of alcohol had caused the defendant to lose his good judgement – though he said that was, of course, no excuse for what happened.
He said his client was “devastated” at the impact of his actions on the family.
The barrister said Hall largely worked off-shore in the North Sea, and he invited the court to pass a sentence which would allow the defendant to keep his liberty.
The barrister added that there had been a delay in the case, though did not criticise the police as he knew how busy they are.
Judge Huw Rees told the defendant “too much drink had been taken” on the day in question and he should feel “deep shame” for what he did.
Hall was made subject to a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation course, and must pay fines of £500 for each assault.
The defendant was made subject to two restraining orders – a three-year order covering his former partner, and a one-year order covering the child he assaulted.
How to access free domestic abuse helplines in Wales
If you, a family member, or a friend have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can contact the Live Fear Free helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free advice and support, or to talk through your options. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 0786 007 7333, email info@livefearfreehelpline.wales or go to gov.wales/live-fear-free
Live Fear Free (funded by Welsh Government and run by Welsh Women’s Aid) is a confidential service. Calls to 0808 80 numbers are free to call from landlines and mobile phones in the UK. They do not appear on itemised bills. The helpline provides support in English and Welsh, and access to an interpreter for callers with language support needs.
The Refuge charity also provides information, support and practical help 24 hours a day to women experiencing domestic violence. The service can refer women and children to refuges throughout the UK to help them escape domestic abuse. Refuge can be called on 0808 808 9999.