A SHOCKING trial is unfolding at Cardiff Crown Court, where police constable Huw Orphan, 31, from Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, stands accused of grievous bodily harm with intent after allegedly kicking his wife, fellow police officer Amy Burley, down a flight of stairs, resulting in a serious back injury. The incident, which occurred in April 2020, has raised serious questions about domestic violence within the police force and has captured the attention of the public.
The court has heard harrowing details of the couple’s tumultuous relationship, marked by frequent arguments and growing tension, particularly in the months following the birth of their prematurely born son. The trial, now in its second week, has seen both the prosecution and defence lay out their cases with fervour, as the jury grapples with the complexities of the events that transpired on that fateful night.
Huw Orphan and Amy Burley first met in late 2017 while working for Gwent Police. At the time, Ms Burley was a custody detention officer, and Mr Orphan had already established himself as a constable, having joined the force in May 2016. Their relationship quickly blossomed, and they moved in together in Newport in 2019, tying the knot on 10 July of the same year. By December 2019, the couple welcomed their first child together, though the joyous occasion was marred by the premature birth of their son, adding strain to an already challenging period.
The couple’s move to Barry in February 2020 was intended to offer a fresh start, but by then, their relationship had already begun to deteriorate. The court was presented with evidence of increasingly frequent arguments, often over seemingly trivial matters, such as the proper sterilisation of their baby’s bottles. These disputes, however, belied deeper issues within the marriage.
On the evening of 7 April 2020, the couple engaged in yet another argument, this time via text message while Mr Orphan was at work. Ms Burley testified that she was anxious and upset due to her husband’s lack of communication, feelings that were exacerbated by the strain of their deteriorating relationship. The messages presented in court revealed Ms Burley’s frustration, as she accused her husband of being indifferent and inattentive.
The situation escalated when Mr Orphan returned home shortly after 01:00. Defence barrister Julian King suggested that the altercation began when Ms Burley, in a fit of anger, swiped at the back of her husband’s legs as they ascended the stairs, causing her to fall. However, Ms Burley categorically denied this version of events, insisting that she was kicked forcefully down the stairs, landing on her back with such impact that she missed the steps entirely.
“I was kicked backwards down that set of stairs, so hard I actually missed the stairs and landed flat on my back,” she told the court, her voice trembling with emotion as she recounted the moment that changed her life.
The court heard that following the incident, Ms Burley lay in pain on the sofa, while Mr Orphan retreated upstairs to sleep. However, at around 03:45, he sent her a heart emoji, to which she responded with an apology for her earlier behaviour. Mr Orphan’s reply, “I am sorry for what happened,” has become a focal point of the prosecution’s case, suggesting an acknowledgment of guilt.
The following day, the couple’s communication appeared to return to a semblance of normality, but Ms Burley testified that this was out of fear of what her husband might do next. “I think I was just scared of what he was capable of doing next,” she explained, describing a pattern where arguments would erupt, only for the couple to act as if everything was fine the next day.
Ms Burley further claimed that Mr Orphan only agreed to take her to the hospital if she promised not to reveal the true cause of her injuries. “He told me that if I didn’t tell them I’d fallen, he wouldn’t bring my kids back,” she testified, painting a disturbing picture of coercion and control.
The defence’ case
Defence barrister Julian King has vigorously challenged Ms Burley’s account, suggesting that she was not the victim but rather the aggressor in the relationship. He argued that Ms Burley’s injuries were the result of her own actions, not those of her husband, and pointed out that she made no immediate report of assault following the incident in April 2020.
King further asserted that the couple’s volatile relationship was marked by mutual conflict, with both parties contributing to the heated arguments that frequently erupted in their home. He questioned the timing of Ms Burley’s complaint, noting that it was not until May 2020, after the couple had separated, that she sought advice on how to make a formal complaint against Mr Orphan.
In support of the defence, a statement from Sgt Paul Broad of Maindee Police Station in Newport was read to the court, in which he recounted Ms Burley’s claim of having fractured a bone in her back and requiring a brace. The defence has sought to cast doubt on the credibility of Ms Burley’s allegations, arguing that her injuries may not have been as severe as she has claimed and suggesting that her motivation for the complaint may be rooted in the acrimonious nature of their separation.
Prosecution’s evidence
The prosecution, led by Ieuan Bennett, has presented a series of photographs taken by Ms Burley, documenting the injuries she sustained, including a “linear mark to the arm,” a “small abrasion just below the ear,” and a “cut or laceration near the ankle.” These images, coupled with Ms Burley’s testimony, form the backbone of the prosecution’s case, which aims to demonstrate a pattern of abusive behaviour by Mr Orphan.
“I’m still in a lot of pain,” Ms Burley told the court, describing the long-term impact of her injuries. “I can’t run around after my children, go into a soft play centre, or kick a ball with them.”
As the trial continues, the jury is faced with the difficult task of sifting through conflicting testimonies and determining the truth of what transpired between the couple. The case has highlighted not only the personal tragedy of a family in crisis but also broader concerns about domestic violence within the police force, an issue that remains deeply troubling for both the public and those within the law enforcement community.
The trial is expected to continue for several more days, with further evidence and witness testimonies set to be presented. The outcome will likely hinge on the jury’s assessment of the credibility of both parties and the weight of the evidence presented. Until then, the court remains the stage for a deeply personal and painful drama that has captivated all who are following the case.
The trial continues.
