'Decision to fine him just trivialises domestic abuse'

Ex-wife says she’s been let down by the justice system after abuser given fine

- LUCY JOHN Reporter

After Mel Cook’s husband violently attacked her, and was made the subject of a restraining order in 2022, she assumed it would allow her to move on with her life without hearing from him ever again.

However, David Myer has continued to contact her, finding himself in court for several breaches. But instead of learning his lesson, Myer breached the order within 24 hours of that hearing and ended up in court yet again.

The Western Mail attended this sentencing last month, during which Myer, aged 56, walked away with a fine. Ms Cook's victim impact statement was not read out to the court, and the prosecutor did not mention the fact that Myer had previously physically assaulted her.

Ms Cook, 56, has now bravely decided to share her experience to highlight how she says she has been failed by the justice system. Instead of protecting people like her, she said it has only “empowered” her abuser to continue harming her.

“My life has changed so much as a victim, while his life continues, apart from getting a fine or turning up to probation every now and then,’ she said.

“But my life has changed, I've changed as a person. ‘The decision to fine him after everything just trivialises domestic abuse. These men get more of a kick out of it than they are bothered about the punishment”

Ms Cook said she met Myer in 2015 and married him in 2018.

Around the time they divorced in 2022, his behaviour towards her became violent and abusive, she said.

In one horrifying incident, Ms Cook said Myer lost his temper, grabbed some keys and badly scratched her body with them. She said he also hit her with a belt.

When she called the police and ran into the bedroom for safety, she said he smashed a window in an attempt to get to her.