Court of Appeal doubles prison sentence for abusive partner found guilty of blackmail and assault
A man who abused his partner has had his prison sentence increased after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal.
The case was referred by former Solicitor General Edward Timpson CBE KC MP.
Ben Solomon from Cornwall was in a relationship with the victim for nine months before the relationship ended.
Following the break-up, he threatened to release a sex tape to family, friends and work colleagues of the victim.
The pair re-coupled after Solomon was arrested and released on bail.
However, one night he went to her home and acted violently, as he slapped her, pulled her hair and twice strangled her.
On the 8th of July, 2022 he was sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court to 18 months in prison for blackmail and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Although, the case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme as the Solicitor General at the time, Edward Timpson CBE KC MP, believed the crime warranted a longer prison term.
The Court agreed and on 23rd September, 2022 Solomon had his sentence increased to three years imprisonment.
The newly appointed HM Solicitors General, Michael Tomlinson MP, said:
“Ben Solomon’s shameful and abusive behaviour warranted a stronger punishment. I am glad that the Court agreed and hope that the decision to sentence Solomon to a longer prison term will send the message that physical and mental abuse will never be tolerated.”
