Suspected wife-beaters face being banned from home for four weeks - without trial

Men accused of beating their wives face being banned from their homes for up to four weeks – even if they have not been convicted of any crime.

Under ‘go orders’ police will have the power to stop alleged abusers returning home or having contact with the victim.

After that initial 48-hour order, the courts will be able to extend the ban for up to 28 days.

An appalling crime: Home Secretary Theresa May is reviving legislation drawn up under the last Labour Government

Crackdown: The new law is aimed at providing victims of domestic violence with 'vital space and time'. (Picture posed by model)

The bans are designed for use against violent men who escape conviction because their victims are unable or unwilling to give evidence against them.



The orders were made law by Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson in one of his last acts in office, but were never brought into force. In August it was reported they had been scrapped as part of public spending cuts, which will see the Home Office budget cut by 23 per cent over the next four years.

But they have been resurrected by Home Secretary Theresa May as part of a series of measures aimed at tackling violence against women.



She said: ‘Domestic violence is an appalling crime which sees two women a week die at the hands of their partners, while millions more suffer years of abuse in their own homes.

‘These new powers will allow the police to step in when the victims are most vulnerable to give them vital space and time, which could ultimately save their lives.’

A year long pilot will start next year in Greater Manchester, Wiltshire and West Mercia. The scheme is likely to be extended across England and Wales if successful.