Paris reported Robert Lee Hastings to the police on 25th September 2024. From that day to the day of trial, she waited 530 days. She prepared relentlessly. She psychologically built herself up to walk into that courtroom and face him. She arranged childcare. She drove herself to court alone. And then she received a phone call telling her the case had become a floater — she didn't need to be there.
He had waited until the day of trial to change his plea.
He pleaded guilty to one count of non-fatal strangulation and a lesser charge. The coercive control charge was dropped and left on file — rendering the full pattern of his behaviour invisible. He received a 16-month suspended sentence. No prison. No custody. A restraining order covering only her home address — the only place in the world she is legally protected from him.
Paris's first words after hearing the sentence: "He is going to kill the next woman."
In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Laura and Paris cover:
What finally galvanised Paris into reporting — the moment Robert targeted her son, grabbing his arm through the banister and attempting to break it
The 530-day wait and the devastating psychological toll — suicidal thoughts, self-harm, losing nine stone in weight, and the children who kept her here
How Robert image-managed in front of police, presenting as polite and remorseful — and receiving only a conditional caution for the harm to her son
What happened when Paris was released from bail without warning — and how he broke into her home the same day
The ongoing stalking campaign — fake accounts, hacked bank details, AI-generated images, her home address sent via What3Words
Why the coercive control charge being left on file means he cannot be managed under MAPPA — the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Why a late guilty plea from a coercive controller is itself an act of control — and why the witness care team warned Paris this would happen before it did
What the government's response to Paris's Law petition of over 100,000 signatures actually said — and why it falls short
Why victims need legal representation in court — not just a volunteer to hold their hand
What Paris's Law is calling for — and how you can sign the petition and stand in solidarity
530 days. No trial. A suspended sentence. And a campaign that is changing the conversation.
📝 Sign the Paris's Law petition → https://www.parislaw.co.uk
Follow Laura Richards:
🌐 https://www.crime-analyst.com
🌐 https://www.thelaurarichards.com
More from Paris Shears
🌐Paris's Law Campaign
https://www.parislaw.co.uk
🌐Parliament Petition
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/764553
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