Robert Turner, 52, was sentenced on May 31 at Oxford Crown Court for one count each of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and breaching a non-molestation order. Turner, a resident of Horton Drive, Middle Cheney, received a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also subjected to a restraining order, ordered to complete 27 rehabilitation activity days, 150 hours of unpaid work, and pay £500 in court costs.
The case stems from an incident on June 22, 2022, when Turner assaulted his former partner of 20 years, Sara Driffield, by shoving her into the corner edge of a wall. Driffield incurred almost £5,000 in costs to obtain a non-molestation order due to her ineligibility for legal aid, despite financial strain.
Judge Maria Lamb described the relationship as toxic and noted the physical confrontation led to Driffield sustaining significant injuries. Driffield expressed hopes to encourage other victims of domestic violence to report their experiences and emphasized the financial challenges in seeking legal protection.