A police officer has been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm after kicking his wife down the stairs, leaving her with a broken back. Cardiff Crown Court heard that Police Constable Huw Orphan had been arguing with his wife Amy Burley via text messages before the attack in April 2020. The court was told that Orphan, who was a constable with Gwent Police at the time of the incident, claimed he did not intend to make contact with his partner or cause her harm but was trying to create distance during an argument when his leg accidentally hit her.
The jury found Orphan not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but guilty of the lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm as well as causing actual bodily harm in a separate incident before they moved to Barry. The prosecution argued that Orphan deliberately kicked his wife, causing her to fall down the stairs and break her back, while Orphan insisted it was his wife who had lost her temper, not him.
Orphan’s relationship with Burley began in 2018 before they got married and moved in together in Newport. However, by the time they relocated to Barry in 2020, Orphan described the relationship as strained. The incident on the stairs occurred when Orphan returned home from a late shift, and an argument escalated, resulting in his wife falling down the stairs.
Orphan claimed that his wife had thrown a child seat at him, causing him to stumble on the stairs. He maintained that his contact with her was accidental as he tried to regain his balance. The court heard conflicting testimonies about the events leading to Burley’s injuries.
In response to the verdict, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke informed Orphan that a pre-sentence report would be requested before his sentencing in October.
For those affected by abuse, there are support services available 24/7, such as the Live Fear Free Helpline at 0808 801 08 00. The court proceedings shed light on the challenges faced by victims of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help and support in such situations.