A firefighter, struggling with PTSD from Grenfell Tower, assaulted his wife during a Cornwall holiday, leading to serious legal consequences and a community order.
Cornwall: A firefighter, Charles Cornelius, faced serious charges after a holiday incident. He tried to strangle his wife during an argument while they were on vacation.
The family was staying in Falmouth in July 2023. They had a series of heated arguments, which led to damage in their holiday accommodation.
To ease tensions, they decided to visit the Seal Sanctuary. However, they continued to argue during the trip and even at the sanctuary.
At one point, Cornelius tried to grab their daughter in front of others. They agreed to get through the day for their child’s sake.
On the way back, another argument broke out. Cornelius made a threatening remark about harming his wife while their daughter was in the back seat.
As the argument escalated, he began to kick her seat and grabbed her neck, making it hard for her to breathe while she was driving.
After pulling over, concerned bystanders stopped to help. They suggested she go to the police for safety.
Cornelius was arrested and pleaded guilty to assault and intentional strangulation. The court learned he suffers from PTSD due to his experiences at Grenfell Tower.
Judge Robert Linford noted the impact of the Grenfell tragedy on Cornelius’s behavior. He expressed concern for the family dynamics during the holiday.
Cornelius received an 18-month community order, mental health treatment, and a restraining order against contacting his wife.
