A principal geologist at a Croydon company has been convicted after assaulting his ex-partner.

Christopher Edwards, 40, of Barnes, who works at ERC Equipoise (ERCE) in Croydon, pleaded guilty to common assault on Monday, September 14.

He had originally denied the assault but when presented with video evidence changed his plea to guilty.

Edwards, of Cross Street, was given a community order on September 18 at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court and must attend a 40-hour domestic abuse programme.

He was also handed an indefinite restraining order, which prevents him contacting his ex-partner.

He was not ordered to pay any compensation to the victim, but must pay a victim surcharge of £85 and £250 court costs.

Offences relating to domestic abuse in London have risen from 62,546 in 2014 to 71,926 in 2016, equating to a 15 per cent increase.

And figures show that domestic abuse accounts for almost one in 10 offences in the capital.

The Metropolitan Police is tackling domestic abuse through a campaign called Operation Dauntless which involves the tracking of more than 400 serial domestic abuse offenders.

And leader of the London Assembly Labour Group, Len Duvall, recently called for domestic abusers to be put on a register, similar to that for sex offenders, on which they would need to give police their personal details and to update them with any changes.

If any Richmond residents are experiencing domestic abuse, organisations which can help include Refuge IDVA and Outreach Service on

020 8943 8188, Ascent on 0808 802 5565 and Women and Girls Network Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 801 0770.

For a full list go here.