Part 1Offence as to domestic abuse

Engaging in course of abusive behaviour

1Abusive behaviour towards partner or ex-partner

(1)

A person commits an offence if—

(a)

the person (“A”) engages in a course of behaviour which is abusive of A's partner or ex-partner (“B”), and

(b)

both of the further conditions are met.

(2)

The further conditions are—

(a)

that a reasonable person would consider the course of behaviour to be likely to cause B to suffer physical or psychological harm,

(b)

that either—

(i)

A intends by the course of behaviour to cause B to suffer physical or psychological harm, or

(ii)

A is reckless as to whether the course of behaviour causes B to suffer physical or psychological harm.

(3)

In the further conditions, the references to psychological harm include fear, alarm and distress.