Family law specialist pleaded guilty to putting a person in fear of violence by harassment
A family law barrister who harassed a vulnerable woman and made her call him “master” has been handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence.
Sanjay Roy (pictured below), a lawyer at Northampton Chambers, is said to have been abusive and controlling towards a woman he was in a relationship with.
The couple met in 2012 in Houston, Texas, and quickly sparked up a romance after Roy — using his legal expertise — helped the woman break free from an abusive relationship. With Roy’s assistance, the woman’s ex-partner was jailed for breaching a non-molestation order.
Initially describing Bournemouth University graduate Roy as her “superhero”, but the court heard how the couple’s long-distance relationship quickly turned toxic.
According to the Harborough Mail, Nottingham Crown Court heard how the 32-year-old former postman was a “Jekyll and Hyde” type character who insisted on being called “master”.
Prosecuting barrister Sally Hobson claimed that the family law specialist had, on one occasion, “poured iced water” onto his partner’s head and proceeded to “beat her with a belt buckle”. The following day — and appearing to be back in Jekyll-mode — Roy would act “as if nothing was wrong”.
Roy pleaded guilty to putting a person in fear of violence by harassment on day one of his trial. In mitigation, the court heard Roy was very remorseful about his actions.
Yesterday the barrister was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. Mrs Justice Cox told Roy that his actions had “deeply affected” his ex-partner.
In a victim impact statement that was read out in court, the woman said that she had forgiven Roy and had chosen to “move forward” with her life.
With his legal career now hanging in the balance, Roy’s profile has disappeared from Northampton Chambers’ website.
Comments are now closed.