Domestic Abuse Linked to Suicide: London Man Charged with Manslaughter

A breakthrough in the fight against domestic abuse has been achieved in London, with a man charged with manslaughter in a rare prosecution linked to suicide. Gillian Morand, 36, died in Bexley, south-east London in 2020, after which allegations against her husband emerged. An inquest concluded she had taken her own life, but allegations of domestic abuse that Morand had previously suffered then came to light, prompting an investigation by Scotland Yard.

The Metropolitan police have charged Seyhan Assaf, 45, of Berwick Crescent, Sidcup, south-east London, with manslaughter and coercive or controlling behaviour. It is alleged that Morand was abused over a 'significant period' and that it contributed to her death in March 2020. This is a complex investigation with very few charges of this nature authorised across the country, according to DCI Dan Whitten.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided to prosecute Assaf with manslaughter and controlling or coercive behaviour, following a close working relationship with the Metropolitan police. Samantha Yelland, senior crown prosecutor in the CPS London homicide unit, said, 'We have decided to prosecute Seyhan Assaf with manslaughter and controlling or coercive behaviour. This decision comes after working closely with the Metropolitan police as they have carried out their investigation into the death of Gillian Morand.'

The police are now asking anyone who was in contact with Morand in the decade before her death to come forward and contact the force.