a crime of passion?

Robert had a history of violence towards his wife and children. When the family court decided that he was not to be allowed access to the children, he became uncontrollably violent, pinning a police officer in a stranglehold and subjecting the judge to a torrent of abuse. The judge handed him a sentence of six months’ imprisonment for contempt of court.

Robert was taken into police custody, where he eventually calmed down. He said in his defence that he had been maddened at the thought of not seeing his children again.

His prison sentence was upheld by the Court of Appeal.