The first person in Brighton has been jailed for breaching a new domestic violence order introduced last month.
Kahal Sene, 43, of Sillwood Road, Brighton was sent to prison for 28 days on Tuesday (July 15) for breaching the Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO) he was given just days before.
The new law, which came in in June, gives police new powers to give extra protection to victims of domestic abuse. The perpetrator, in this case Sene, was issued a Domestic Violence Protection Notice. This meant he was not allowed to make any contact with the victim.
The notice is activated as soon as they are released from custody and the police have sought a full Domestic Violence Prevention Order (DVPO). Sene was given an order on July 4, which was to last 28 days.
However on July 14, just 10 days later, he breached the condition of making contact the victim and was arrested and was immediately brought in front of Brighton Magistrates Court. The magistrate sentenced him to one month in prison with immediate effect.
DCI Carwyn Hughes, leader of the Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said:
“Sene is the first person dealt with in Brighton and Hove under these new laws which only came into effect a month ago, and he has now been jailed for a month. This gives the victim some breathing space to decide what she wants to do and get any support she needs. This new law is all about protecting the victim and giving them that time away from an abusive relationship.
“Sene has been persistently abusive towards this woman for many years and this new law is helping to stop his behaviour and helps us protect and support her.”
“We take all calls about domestic abuse extremely seriously and the very fact that Sene has been sent to prison for breach of the order shows we will do all we can to protect the victim.”
Since its introduction in June there have been 14 DVPOs in Sussex.
For further information about the way the Notices and Orders work, go to;
/help-centre/ask-us/domestic-abuse/what-is-a-domestic-violence-protection-order-(dvpo)
/help-centre/ask-us/domestic-abuse/what-is-a-domestic-violence-protection-notice-(dvpn)
Sussex Police and partners have an ongoing campaign, including advertising and local events, aimed at encouraging all victims of domestic abuse to report incidents earlier before the abuse escalates, and at raising awareness of White Ribbon UK, an international organisation working to involve men in opposing violence and abuse against women
If you don’t want to talk to the police, talk to someone. These organisations can also help;
The 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247
www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk
