AC v JD

AC v JD

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that the Father subjected the Mother to sexual abuse (including non-fatal strangulation during sex and rape), physical and verbal abuse, and coercive control over several years. The court also found that the Father exhibited anger and abusive behaviour in the presence of the children, but did not find deliberate physical harm to the children proven. The findings were based on the credibility of the Mother’s detailed evidence, corroborated by text messages, police reports, and the Father’s admissions and minimisation of behaviour. The court applied the legal principles of domestic abuse, consent, and the necessity to consider patterns of...

Parties
Applicant: AC; Respondent: JD
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Cross Applications for Child Arrangement Orders and Family Law Act Proceedings / Fact Finding Judgment
Outcome
Findings of fact made against the Father for sexual abuse, rape, physical and verbal abuse, and coercive control. Not all allegations proven. No deliberate physical harm to children found.
Legal Topics
Child Arrangements, Non Molestation Orders, Occupation Orders, Domestic Abuse, Coercive Control, Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Verbal Abuse
Family Law Child Law Domestic Abuse Child Arrangements Non Molestation Orders Occupation Orders Coercive Control Sexual Abuse +2 more

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Parties

AC

Applicant

JD

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Cross Applications for Child Arrangement Orders and Family Law Act Proceedings / Fact Finding Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Father subjected the Mother to sexual abuse, rape, reproductive coercion, physical and verbal abuse, coercive control, and physical abuse of the children
  2. 2 Whether the Father’s conduct constituted domestic abuse under the Children Act 1989 and relevant case law
  3. 3 Whether the allegations against the Father are proven on the balance of probabilities

Ratio Decidendi

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that the Father subjected the Mother to sexual abuse (including non-fatal strangulation during sex and rape), physical and verbal abuse, and coercive control over several years. The court also found that the Father exhibited anger and abusive behaviour in the presence of the children, but did not find deliberate physical harm to the children proven. The findings were based on the credibility of the Mother’s detailed evidence, corroborated by text messages, police reports, and the Father’s admissions and minimisation of behaviour. The court applied the legal principles of domestic abuse, consent, and the necessity to consider patterns of...

Court Disposition

Findings of fact made against the Father for sexual abuse, rape, physical and verbal abuse, and coercive control. Not all allegations proven. No deliberate physical harm to children found.

Orders

  • Findings to inform subsequent welfare evaluation and child arrangement orders
  • Father must demonstrate insight and change before contact with children can be considered