Latest news with #CliveThomas
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
'I had to investigate my own abuse case because the police failed me'
Caroline struggles to lift a large, brown suitcase on to a table. Inside are hundreds of documents which prove her ex-partner psychologically and physically abused her."I spoon-fed the police," she explains with exasperation as she shows us print-outs of text messages and she says officers still failed to grasp the seriousness of his pattern of intimidatory and threatening behaviour, which even included dictating what she ate."They just didn't get it," she says. "I was treated like the bottom of the pile."Caroline's experience is not unusual.A BBC investigation has found that 10 years after coercive or controlling behaviour (CCB) became a crime, there is a wide disparity in how police forces in England and Wales recognise and understand the offence - with some logging rates that are three times higher per head of population. Police responses can be so poor that victims say they have to become their own detectives. Lives are being lost, say leading political and legal figures who were responsible for the law response to the BBC's findings, a senior government minister said she would "hold the police to the highest standards". We have spoken to many survivors of CCB who have gathered years of evidence, including Caroline and a woman we are calling "Gemma".By the end of Caroline's relationship, her ex-partner Clive Thomas controlled every part of her life, from where she went, to what she wore."I would wake up and know I wouldn't be making any decisions that day," she says. "I didn't know it was coercive control, it was just a way of life."He would throw food on the floor, force her to pick it up and then stuff it into her would point to a shop window and threaten to throw her through he did not like her clothes, he would pour water over her or soak her with a was terrified of what Thomas would do to her if she left him, so her only hope was that he would leave her to tell her friends or family, she confided in her phone. She wrote about what was happening under the heading "shopping", to disguise the contents from him when he searched her found ways to cover up the cuts, deep scratches and bruises he inflicted. She shows us a small, lasting scar on her face. It was his actions on 6 December 2017 that she says marked a turning point for her. He threw her on to the floor, pulled out a large clump of her hair and spat in her relationship ended a month later after another attack. She dialled 999 and Thomas was removed from her remained in fear of Thomas and after a year felt there was no option but to contact Greater Manchester Police. She never believed her fight for justice would take six painful the notes on her phone, she was able to hand over a 32-page chronology detailing every incident, as well as photos of appointments were delayed or missed, evidence was misplaced and inaccuracies were introduced into her all of her evidence, she was told by the Crown Prosecution Service that no charges would be hired a lawyer costing £20,000 and appealed. Eventually, 10 charges were brought against Caroline's ex-partner – after it was found the police had not handed over key evidence."When you look at the abject failings that have been made by the police it beggars belief," said Caroline's lawyer, Rachel Horman-Brown KC (Hon). She has worked with male and female domestic abuse victims for decades."Too much of my job really is taken up advising victims who feel fobbed off by the police when they report coercive control," she said."There are too many women who have also lost their lives because of this." BBC analysis of the latest official data (April 2023-March 2024) of recorded CCB offences found a huge difference between police force areas, with some forces logging coercive control crimes at much higher rates than and domestic abuse charities acknowledge that while statistics-gathering may currently vary between forces - and should improve in future - they say the current disparity between police areas shows a lack of understanding of coercive control."Crime is crime and it should know no force boundaries," said Sir Robert Buckland, the former Attorney General who introduced the law into Parliament in 2015."It is unacceptable that victims are having to in effect be their own detectives in these often very serious cases involving very serious harm."Many miles away from Caroline is Gemma, whom we are not created a spreadsheet detailing years of what she says was coercive controlling behaviour."He would put you down, you didn't feel worth anything," she says. "He would just flip into a rage at the smallest thing, punch walls around me and throw things at me."She told us she had submitted more than 100 pieces of evidence of psychological, sexual and physical abuse to the police. Among them are lists of witnesses, photos of injuries and text messages in which her ex-partner apologised for his behaviour. Gemma feels the police did not take her case seriously from the beginning, telling her: "It's going to be really hard to prove this."After they mislaid evidence a number of times, she says, she carried her home computer and a pile of paperwork into the police the years since Gemma first went to the police, she has had to retell her story to more than 20 different officers, she ex-partner has never been charged with an offence against her."I feel like the police have gaslit me. I have walked out of one relationship with an abuser and straight into another one," she says. "I would never have called the police if I had known it was going to be like this."Gemma has been advised to hire a lawyer to deal with her case, but she lost her business and became homeless after leaving her abuser. She often relies on food well as being diagnosed with PTSD, depression and anxiety, Gemma says she rarely leaves her house as she is terrified of bumping into her ex-partner. But she is adamant she will keep help police identify the often hidden pattern of coercive control, an updated risk-assessment process has been rolled out since have been encouraged by the College of Policing to deploy the Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment (Dara) at every domestic abuse Freedom of Information requests by the BBC have found that more than half (23) of the 43 police forces in England and Wales are still not using Dara. Gemma's force is one of research has also found a big variation in the number of staff who have completed the recommended Domestic Abuse Matters course, which educates officers about all indicates that coercive control is not a priority for many police forces and "radical change" is needed to improve "horrendous attitudes", says Ms Horman-Brown. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said some staff will have undertaken alternative risk assessments or training other than the Domestic Abuse Matters a statement, Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls, said: "Coercive or controlling behaviour has a devastating impact, and when victims bravely seek justice and report it to the police, they should not have to constantly relive their unimaginably difficult experiences or feel unprotected."I will hold the police to the highest standards and expect them to use every tool at their disposal to deliver for victims and put offenders away."Louisa Rolfe, the national police lead for domestic abuse with the NPCC, said in a statement: "We know there is much more to do, and I am saddened to hear of victims not receiving the best response."We want women and girls to feel safe and confident reporting any instances of abuse to police, and when they do come forward, we want to be able to take swift action to prevent any further harm."On 26 June, Caroline watched as her ex-partner Thomas was given an 18-month sentence, suspended for 20 months, after pleading guilty to one charge of coercive control and one charge of common court heard Caroline had suffered significant psychological harm. During sentencing, Judge Lester-Ashworth told Thomas: "Were it not for your age and previous good character, you would be going to prison today."A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said of Caroline's case: "We recognise and regret the frustration caused by the prolonged process to bring the offender to justice."The victim's bravery and tenacity has helped ensure the man responsible has now been held accountable for his crimes."Leaving court, Caroline reflected on the end of her long journey."I have been battling with him, the police, so I'm feeling exhausted," she said."If I hadn't done anything, it would have been hanging over me for the rest of my life. I know I needed to do it for myself." If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, details of support are available at BBC Action Line
Telegraph
02-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Villagers win battle against 200m ‘Great Wall' at Welsh beauty spot
Villagers have won a fight to tear down a giant fence that was blocking views of a national park. The 200m-long, 6ft-high steel fence was dubbed the 'Great Wall of Clydach' after it was built by a Labour-led council without notice at a cost of £40,000. But weeks later, officials have agreed to tear it down – and will spend £20,000 on its removal. The roadside structure blocks views of the mountains and valleys within Wales's Brecon Beacons National Park (now known as Bannau Brycheiniog) and close to the Unesco World Heritage site of Blaenavon. Locals described the fence, made of galvanised steel with sharp spikes on top, as 'disgusting' and criticised the council for a lack of consultation. Officials said it was erected along Pwll Du Road, which has been closed to traffic for five years, over fears it could collapse. Resident Clive Thomas said: 'It's just an eyesore. When the sun is on it and everything, it just looks out of place.' Simon Elliott added: 'There was no consultation with anyone. The fence has been put up with no understanding at all of what the area is. 'All it needed was a low-level fencing to stop any cattle or people going over the edge into the quarry.' Monmouthshire County Council has agreed to remove the fence and replace it with a shorter structure that will 'blend in' with the surroundings. Independent councillor Simon Howarth said he was pleased with the council's decision, but added: 'We shouldn't have got here' and claimed huge bills could have been avoided. He said: 'Overall, we are where we should have started, but around £50,000 to £70,000 worse off.' A council spokesman said: 'Following a positive meeting, the local community and the council agreed with the proposal to reduce the height of the back line of the palisade fencing, replacing it with stock proof fencing and painting the reveals and pillars with a suitable colour to blend in with the landscape.'
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Our picturesque countryside views are ruined by 6ft tall ‘Great Wall of China' fence next door… so we got our revenge
Villagers have persuaded the council to remove the "eyesore" UP THE WALL Our picturesque countryside views are ruined by 6ft tall 'Great Wall of China' fence next door… so we got our revenge Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FURIOUS villagers have succeeded in having a 6ft tall fence, that was blocking beauty spot views, torn down. Residents hit out at their local council for building the large "out of place" steel structure. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Locals said the fence stood out from the stunning landscape Credit: WNS 4 It was dubbed "the great wall of Clydach" Credit: WNS The massive 200 meter long, 6ft tall, spiked steel fence was built by Monmouthshire County Council in Clydach, Wales. Residents were given no notice that the fence was to be erected at a cost of £40,000. Furious with the hideous construction locals campaigned to have the fence removed. It blocked beauty spot views of the Brecon Beacons National Park leaving local residents infuriated and demanding it be taken down. Furious locals could see the fence on the hillside from their back gardens and said it failed to blend in. A heated council meeting in April saw residents fume at the local council with one branding it "disgusting." County council officials have now agreed to take down the fence, forking out an additional £20,000 for its removal. Made of steel spikes, locals blasted the fence as "disgusting" and said it was "absolutely hideous." The council was slammed for not consulting with residents before building the "great wall of Clydach." It was put up along the Pwll Du Road which has been closed off for five years. The council feared the road would collapse and put the fence up to block off the dodgy pathway. They have since agreed to remove the steel fence and replace it with a shorter structure that will "blend in" with the surroundings. Our kids' play area was blocked by huge 6ft privacy fence Nearby resident Clive Thomas said: "We've got a lovely back garden, and it's just an eyesore. "When the sun is on it and everything, it just looks out of place." Simon Elliott said: "There was no consultation with anyone. The fence has been put up with no understanding at all of what the area is. "All it needed was a low-level fencing to stop any cattle or people going over the edge into the quarry." Simon Howarth, independent councillor said he was pleased with the council's decision. He added: "we shouldn't have got here" pointing out that the huge bills could have been avoided. The councillor went on to say: "Overall we are where we should have started, but around £50,000 to £70,000 worse off." A council spokesperson said: "Following a positive meeting, the local community and the council agreed with the proposal to reduce the height of the back line of the palisade fencing, replacing it with stock proof fencing and painting the reveals and pillars with a suitable colour to blend in with the landscape." 4 The council has since agreed to replace the structure with something that will blend in Credit: WNS 4 Residents demanded the fence be torn down immediately Credit: WNS
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Villagers in Welsh beauty spot win battle to get £40,000 fence dubbed the 'Great Wall of Clydach' knocked down
Furious villagers have won their fight to demolish a huge £40,000 fence erected in a Welsh beauty spot. The 200-metre long six-foot high steel fence, dubbed the 'Great Wall of Clydach', was installed within Brecon Beacons National Park in April. It was put up by the council at a cost of £40,000 to block access to the road amid fears the face of Gilwern mountain could collapse on cars and pedestrians. Now County Hall officials have agreed to take down the fence - and will spend another £20,000 for its removal. The roadside structure, nearby to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blaenavon, was widely criticised for blocking views of the surrounding idyllic mountains and valleys. Locals described the fence, made of galvanised steel with sharp spikes on top, as 'disgusting' and slammed the council for a lack of public consultation. Clive Thomas, who was born in Clydath, told MailOnline: 'We've got a lovely back garden, and it's just an eyesore. When the sun is on it and everything, it just looks out of place.' Meanwhile, long-term resident Simon Elliott ,said: 'There was no consultation with anyone. The fence has been put up with no understanding at all of what the area is. 'All it needed was a low-level fencing to stop any cattle or people going over the edge into the quarry.' Local fury at the 'Great Wall' even prompted more than 120 villagers to gather at Clydach village hall in protest. During a heated meeting in late April, residents insisted that the fence was a safety hazard, with abseilers using it to tie their ropes to. Expressing her outrage, local resident Marit Meredith said: 'We weren't consulted about the fence at all. 'It's been noted that climbers are using the fence to fasten their ropes to which is unsafe. 'It's the appearance and it could cause an accident. It's over two metres high. Abseilers, they could actually kill themselves.' Ms Meredith also alleged there were peregrine falcons - a rare species of bird - nesting below the fence, which were being 'disturbed' by its presence. However, officials at the time insisted that the fence was designed to be a nine-month temporary measure. They also claimed that it had been erected along along Pwll Du Road, which has been closed to traffic for five years, over legitimate fears it could collapse imminently. It came after a rockfall in 2023 led to a council report that suggested the path should be closed off to both people and vehicles. A highways chief further explained that while planning permission was not required for the fence, the national park had been informed. Now, Monmouthshire County Council has agreed to remove the fence and replace it with a shorter structure that will 'blend in' with the surroundings. Stock proof fencing is set to be used instead, with the posts at either end of the road set to be reduced in height and painted a 'suitable colour'. Simon Howarth, an independent county councillor, said he was pleased with the council's U-turn decision, but added that 'we shouldn't have got here' and that the huge costs could have been avoided. He added: 'Overall we are where we should have started, but around £50,000 to £70,000 worse off.' Cllr Howarth also said he was glad that the council were intending to allow access to the backside of the fence, between it and to the mountainside for cyclists and pedestrians. A Monmouthshire County Council spokesman said: 'Following a positive meeting, the local community and the council agreed with the proposal to reduce the height of the back line of the palisade fencing, replacing it with stock proof fencing and painting the reveals and pillars with a suitable colour to blend in with the landscape.'
