Ben Jonas Alcott v Katy Elizabeth Ashworth & Anor

Ben Jonas Alcott v Katy Elizabeth Ashworth & Anor

The court found, on the balance of probabilities and based on the totality of evidence including similar fact evidence, police disclosures, and witness testimony, that the father engaged in a pattern of coercive, controlling, manipulative, and abusive behaviour towards the mother and other partners. The father's behaviour poses a continuing risk to his partners and has potential adverse effects on child welfare and contact arrangements.

Parties
Applicant: Ben Jonas Alcott; 1st Respondent: Katy Elizabeth Ashworth; 2nd Respondent: Charlie Danger Alcott (through his Children’s Guardian, Ms Carr)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
13 April 2022
Procedural Posture
Family / Fact Finding Judgment
Outcome
Findings of fact made against the father; allegations of coercive control and abuse proved.
Legal Topics
Coercive and Controlling Behaviour, Domestic Abuse, Child Arrangements, International Child Abduction, Fact Finding Hearings, Similar Fact Evidence, Lucas Direction
Family Law Child Welfare Domestic Violence Coercive and Controlling Behaviour Domestic Abuse Child Arrangements International Child Abduction Fact Finding Hearings +2 more

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Parties

Ben Jonas Alcott

Applicant

Katy Elizabeth Ashworth

1st Respondent

Charlie Danger Alcott (through his Children’s Guardian, Ms Carr)

2nd Respondent

Procedural Posture

Family / Fact Finding Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the father engaged in coercive, controlling, manipulative, and abusive behaviour towards the mother and other partners
  2. 2 Whether allegations of domestic abuse and violence by the father are proved
  3. 3 Impact of father's behaviour on child welfare and contact arrangements

Ratio Decidendi

The court found, on the balance of probabilities and based on the totality of evidence including similar fact evidence, police disclosures, and witness testimony, that the father engaged in a pattern of coercive, controlling, manipulative, and abusive behaviour towards the mother and other partners. The father's behaviour poses a continuing risk to his partners and has potential adverse effects on child welfare and contact arrangements.

Court Disposition

Findings of fact made against the father; allegations of coercive control and abuse proved.

Orders

  • Findings to inform future decisions regarding contact between father and child.
  • Father's behaviour to be considered in any welfare report or assessment.