Appeal for victims of abuse to speak out

Dedicated officers at Northumbria Police working to seek justice for domestic violence victims are urging all sufferers to come forward.

It comes as 42-year-old Louise Wales, pictured, was convicted last week for slashing a man in the neck with a carving knife.

Despite the serious injury that was caused to her victim, he did not want to prosecute and so the officer leading the case sought justice through an evidenceled prosecution.

In the past year, 26% of domestic abuse in the force's area were male.

PC Peter Watson helped secure the conviction of Wales by securing evidence that was captured at the time of the assault.

He said: “We will investigate all incidents of violence reported to us, supporting victims and taking action to bring perpetrators to justice. While we investigate more cases involving female victims and acknowledge that a higher proportion of perpetrators are men, it does not mean that men cannot be victims.

“It is also important to recognise that we do see violence in same-sex relationships as well. I do believe there is an under reporting of violence against men in a domestic setting and I would urge anyone who is suffering in silence to come forward.”

Wales, of Beacon Court, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding in September and on March 9 was handed a two-year custodial sentence, suspended for two years, with a drug rehabilitation requirement.

The sentence took into account the fact she had spent six-and-a-half months on remand.