TAYLOR HANLON SENTENCED IN EDINBURGH FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND BAIL BREACHES

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Frank Crowe delivered a stern sentence to Taylor Hanlon, a resident of Edinburgh, for serious breaches of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 and violations of bail conditions. Hanlon was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison for the domestic abuse offense, with an additional five months for breaching bail restrictions. Furthermore, the court imposed a non-harassment order that will remain in effect for a period of 15 years, effectively prohibiting Hanlon from approaching or contacting the victim, Ms. Jemma Kilkenny.

During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Crowe addressed Hanlon directly, emphasizing the gravity of the case and the defendant’s attitude. The sheriff stated, "You are still largely in denial about the jury's unanimous finding of guilt in respect of the majority of charge 1, a contravention of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 section 1 involving abusive and controlling behavior towards your then partner over a 10-month period in 2020."

He further explained that Hanlon was convicted of charge 2 by a majority verdict and had pled guilty to the third charge at the outset of the trial. These latter charges involved breaches of bail conditions. Sheriff Crowe noted that, aside from the cross-examination of the complainant, Ms. Kilkenny, very few witnesses were thoroughly cross-examined on substantive matters. The sheriff highlighted the credibility and integrity of Ms. Kilkenny, along with her parents and close friend, Ms. McLean, all of whom presented themselves well and provided compelling testimony against Hanlon.

Ms. Kilkenny’s testimony was particularly candid, revealing her deep emotional attachment to Hanlon. She explained that she fell profoundly in love with him and, upon discovering his addiction to drugs such as cocaine, Valium, and cannabis, she chose to stay in the relationship in a sincere effort to help him recover. Unfortunately, her efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and she succumbed to substance abuse herself, which led to her being hospitalized in July 2020 following an outburst from Hanlon. The sheriff noted that Hanlon’s influence over her was so strong that their relationship persisted until December 2020, despite the evident harm.

It was also revealed that Hanlon has a prior conviction for domestic abuse involving an earlier partner, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior. The background report, which suggested a community disposal, was deemed inadequate given Hanlon’s attitude, which appeared to shift blame onto others. The sheriff assessed Hanlon as posing a high risk of reoffending.

In his remarks, Sheriff Crowe acknowledged that Hanlon nearly destroyed Ms. Kilkenny’s life, but praised her resilience and the support network of friends and family that helped her recover. The sheriff recounted instances of violence inflicted by Hanlon, including an attack where he hit Ms. Kilkenny with an ashtray and shattered a glass table, and other injuries she sustained during their tumultuous relationship. Despite her smaller stature, Ms. Kilkenny attempted to defend herself, sustaining minor injuries such as a nick that drew blood and a suspected broken nose, which pale in comparison to the physical assaults she endured.

Hanlon’s legal representation had to concede that he was guilty of some crimes related to charge one, but the sheriff expressed skepticism about the possibility of a community order, given Hanlon’s apparent denial of responsibility and serious criminal conduct. The sheriff emphasized that, given Hanlon’s age of around 25 at the time of the most serious offenses, he did not qualify for any leniency based on youth.

Consequently, Sheriff Crowe sentenced Hanlon to 12 months’ imprisonment for the primary domestic abuse charge. For the breaches of bail conditions, the sheriff initially considered a six-month sentence but, due to Hanlon’s guilty plea, imposed a five-month term to run consecutively. The court also issued a non-harassment order lasting 15 years, aimed at protecting Ms. Kilkenny from any future contact or approach by Hanlon.

In conclusion, Sheriff Crowe underscored the seriousness of Hanlon’s actions and the importance of safeguarding victims from ongoing abuse, making it clear that the court’s primary concern was the safety and well-being of Ms. Kilkenny.