Midweek Mini | Domestic Abuse Counselor Arrested for Domestic Abuse | The Case of Jayne Rudd

On January 8, 2024, Jayne Rudd violently attacked her ex-boyfriend, Sam Leopold. Just three weeks after a restraining order was put in place.

32-year-old Jayne grew up in Bowdon, Manchester, and had a privileged upbringing, attending prestigious schools such as Withington Girls School and Loreto Grammar School. After completing her secondary education, she pursued higher studies, obtaining a degree in English from Birmingham University and later a Master’s in Marketing and Communication from Manchester Metropolitan University. Despite her academic achievements, Rudd’s life was overshadowed by significant mental health issues, which included borderline personality disorder and a history of trauma dating back to her teenage years.

Her mental health challenges, which began with suicide attempts as early as age 14, played a prominent role in her later violent behavior. Although she presented herself as intelligent and gentle in her professional life, working for the Olive Pathway domestic abuse charity as a communications officer, she had a darker side marked by instability, impulsive actions, and violent outbursts.

Rudd’s troubled mental state led to intense and destructive relationships, including her toxic relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Sam Leopold, which ultimately culminated in violence.

In the incident which took place in January, Jayne forcibly entered a house where Leopold was staying by breaking through a door. She used a kitchen knife to slash at him, causing injuries to his wrist.

Leopold managed to escape and sought help from a neighbor, where he contacted the police. When the authorities arrived, they found Rudd asleep on the sofa, intoxicated. She was arrested on-site and later taken into custody, where she denied the allegations.

Despite denying the charges, police found that Rudd had a history of violent behavior toward Leopold, including earlier assaults and stalking incidents.

During her trial, the court heard about these past assaults.

In September 2022, Rudd appeared before a court due to an incident involving police officers. After she refused to leave a friend’s house, police were called. When they tried to remove her she mauled a trainee policeman on the hand in what they called an “animalistic” assault. Then she called four officers “racist misogynists” and lashed out at a policewoman.

She wasn’t put in jail after this.

In June 2023, Rudd was given 34 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months, after she became verbally aggressive towards Leopold in a local bar. She then punched him in the back before striking him in the face. He hid from her, but Rudd subsequently hounded him with 300 texts apologizing for her violent behavior. When Leopold failed to answer, Rudd tracked him down at his parent’s home where he was asleep. She got into the house and hit him in the face with her handbag.

In another incident, she went to the home of one of Leopold’s female friends and tried to strangle her.

During court, Leopold gave a statement which described his ex-girlfriend as “dangerous to be round” and said he doesn’t want to see her “ever again”.

“I became used to being assaulted by her which I knew wasn’t right but I was aware she had mental health issues. She is dangerous to be around and this latest incident is clear evidence of that.

It doesn’t matter if she has a non-molestation order or a restraining order to protect me. She will always find a way back to me and that me me feel unsafe.

Although a number of months have passed since this latest incident, it has affected my mental health and I am constantly on edge for when she is eventually released. I am constantly looking over my shoulder.

To be attacked with a knife causing injuries to my arm has prevented me from working as I use a chainsaw which is part of my job. I am also unable to complete normal day-to-day tasks. I do not wish to see Miss Rudd ever again but I will never know if this is the last time she will contact me.”

The prosecuting attorney, Jen Coleman, told the court about the pattern of abuse that Rudd had subjected Leopold to over time, highlighting that this was not an isolated incident. The prosecution also informed the court that Rudd violated restraining orders multiple times.

They also reiterated the series of events which occurred on January 8,

Rudd went to Leopold’s friends’ home 6am and let herself in through an unlocked door. She shouted his name which made him to wake up and run to the living room door and putting all of his weight against it to stop her from getting in.

“She then began to punch the door numerous times until the bottom of the door broke off its hinges. She then ducked under the broken door and slashed at Mr. Leopold three times, and he suffered injuries to his wrist.”

Rudd’s defense told the court that her behavior was due to longstanding mental health issues, including a borderline personality disorder. A psychiatrist confirmed her condition to the court as “emotionally unstable personality disorder” with characteristics to “act impulsively without consideration of the consequences”.

They also described her as “unpredictable and capricious,”

“Involvement in intense and unstable relationships cause repeated emotional crisis and excessive attempts to avoid abandonment. Miss Rudd also has a tendency to self-destruct.”

Rudd then told the court,

“I’m very sorry for what I have done.”

Her defense lawyer, Sam Cochran, said:

“She is well-educated woman who lives at home with her parents. Her background is one that includes some significant trauma and mental health issues.

She has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and psychosis and she says the arrest triggered her and she feels very shameful and embarrassed at what happened.

She makes no excuses for her behavior and has a high level of remorse and understanding for what she has done. She herself admits there was an element of animalistic behavior; a reaction based in past trauma.

Drink and poor mental health contributed a lot to the way she acted. She has abstained from alcohol since the incident and freely admits her behavior whilst under the influence can be problematic.”

Her defense plead for leniency and for her to be spared jail time.

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Judge Alan Conrad KC, who presided over the case, rejected the defense’s pleas stating, 

“You are a highly intelligent woman but with a very troubled history. These offenses represent a terrifying incident involving a dangerous weapon where you went to an address when Sam Leopold was present and smashed a door until it broke, went underneath it, and slashed him with a knife.”

The Judge added that Rudd’s actions had “serious psychological effects” on Leopold.

He added that,

“Only immediate custody is the appropriate sentence here.”

Rudd was sentenced to three years in prison with a lifetime restraining order once she’s out of prison.

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Question: Do you think Jayne Rudd’s sentence was appropriate, or should she have been placed in a mental health facility?

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