Trial of man accused of punching and throttling pregnant partner

Wednesday 16 October 2024

A man is on trial after being accused of throwing a tumbler at his pregnant partner, punching her, slamming the door on her, and dragging her by the neck.

Jordan Ross Bishop (38) is charged with one charge of common assault and one charge of domestic abuse.

Police were called to his St Helier flat in May this year. 

Crown Advocate Christina Hall, prosecuting, said that – on the night in question – Mr Bishop had arrived home intoxicated and got into bed.

His partner was in the bedroom, trying to get her cat out, and Mr Bishop slammed the door onto her as she left, Crown Advocate Hall said.

Mr Bishop then allegedly punched the woman, and a short video taken afterwards showed an injury to her lip.

Crown Advocate Hall described how Mr Bishop continued being aggressive, making seal noises and kicking the cat.

Mr Bishop had kicked the victim while she was on the floor and grabbed her by the neck, the Crown Advocate added.

During police interview, Mr Bishop said he had “banged” the woman with the door.

He described a relationship in which arguments were frequent, claiming that his partner had also been violent towards him – with both repeatedly throwing drinks over one another, for example.

The court was also shown a video taken by the woman, in which Mr Bishop was in the bed and refused to let her into the bedroom.

The video ended with a loud thud – a sound the prosecution claimed was a punch.

These alleged attacks constitute the domestic assault charge.

Bodyworn camera footage from the police officers who attended the incident was also played in court.

PC Joel Bastable, who attended the call, said Mr Bishop had been uncooperative.

He described him as “unpleasant” and “extremely rude”, adding that he had not co-operated with police.

In a police interview that was read out in court, Mr Bishop said that he had argued with his partner the previous day.

The argument stemmed from the fact that he had been vaping around his pregnant partner, who did not consider vaping to be healthy for the baby.

He said he "chucked [a] tumbler at the back of her legs” – which the prosecution say constitutes the assault charge.

In her closing speech, Crown Advocate Hall said Mr Bishop had “unequivocally” admitted to throwing the tumbler during this interview.

She accepted that the woman “has demonstrated unacceptable behaviour" towards Mr Bishop too – but said that the Jurats only needed to decide whether Mr Bishop had attacked her, not evaluate her actions.

The Crown Advocate said the woman was much more consistent in her accounts of the different attacks, and that her account was corroborated by the video and the medical evidence.

“It is clear that the defendant’s actions went far beyond that of any self-defence,” added Crown Advocate Hall.

Advocate Olaf Blakeley, defending, is due to give a closing speech this afternoon, and the trial is expected to finish later today.

Commissioner Sir Michael Birt is presiding. The Jurats sitting are David Gareth Hughes and Alison Opfermann.

SUPPORT...

Islanders affected by any of the issues raised in this report can contact any of the following:

Jersey Domestic Abuse Support (JDAS) is an independent service developed to protect and support victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Tel: 01534 880505. 

Freeda (formerly Jersey Women’s Refuge) offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse. Tel: 0800 7356836. 

Victim Support offer free and confidential advice to victims of crime. Tel: 01534 440496. 

Victims First Jersey is a free and independent service offering confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime. Tel: 0800 7351612. 

Samaritans offer a confidential and non-judgemental listening ear to people who need to talk. Tel: 116 123 free from any phone or 0330 094 5717 (local call charges apply).