Woman denies making up officer wife assault claims
AWOMAN who accused her police officer wife of beating her up and controlling her throughout their relationship has denied making up the allegations to get a share of her police pension.
Natalie Beynon, 38, is standing trial at Newport Crown Court accused of exerting controlling and coercive behaviour over her wife Kayleigh Beynon over seven years.
The court previously heard that Beynon, from Swansea, assaulted Kayleigh “every couple of weeks” and in number of incidents she allegedly kicked her, punched her, pushed her down the stairs and scratched her with broken glass.
The defendant, a serving police officer with Avon and Somerset Police, is also accused of preventing Kayleigh from contacting her family, preventing her from speaking to certain friends on social media and of trying to convince her to drop the charges while on bail.
Beynon, of Ramsey Road, Clydach, denies controlling or coercive behaviour in a familial relationship, and perverting the course of justice.
Yesterday, defence barrister Hashim Salman cross-examined Kayleigh, who gave evidence behind a screen, and accused her of making up the allegations against his client.
He said: “These allegations were made out of spite and revenge by you weren’t they? They were motivated by money weren’t they?” Kayleigh denied this.
Mr Salman told the court Kayleigh had filed a financial settlement against Beynon at Swansea Family Courts. He added: “At the time you were unemployed and were living at your family home with your mother and two brothers.
“The money you had in total spread across three bank accounts was £178.94 and you included details of your liabilities or debt, the total value of which was £15,170.06.
“What you have claimed for in relation to this financial settlement is £30,000 equity value of the home which Natalie Beynon paid the deposit for and the lion’s share of the mortgage, and the second matter you claimed for is a share of this defendant’s pension.” Kayleigh accepted this.
The barrister then claimed she had wanted to gain revenge for the marriage breakdown and the fact the defendant was in a new relationship. She said: “That’s not true.” Mr Salman asked the witness about a post on Facebook which included photos of her alleged injuries and accusations against the defendant.
He said: “You knew how much the defendant’s career meant to her, she was committed to her career and she was ambitious for her career and you knew these allegations would have an impact on her didn’t you?”
Kayleigh said: “Not initially no, my intention was for friends and family to see that post. I thought I’d never be believed over her because she was a police officer.”
The barrister also disputed Kayleigh’s allegations of assault against Beynon, claiming each alleged incident was a “fiction” and cited the fact Kayleigh had never sought medical assistance.
He said: “Why did you stay (with the defendant)?”
The witness responded: “It was very stupid of me, I don’t know the answer.
“A lot of times Natalie showed remorse, said sorry and told me it would never happen again.
“I wasn’t quite sure why she did any of this to me but I thought she’d change.”
The trial continues.