Commentary on Sections Part 1, Chapter 1 – Offence of Domestic Abuse Section 14: Penalty for the offence
This section provides that the maximum penalty on summary conviction (that is in a magistrates’ court) is 12 months’ imprisonment or a fine up to the statutory maximum (that is, £5,000).  Where a case is tried on indictment (that is, in the Crown Court) the maximum penalty is 14 years’ imprisonment or a fine or both.  The nature of the penalties is intended to reflect the cumulative nature of the offence over time, that it may cover both physical and psychological abuse and also the intimate and trusting nature of the relationships involved.