Thames Valley Police have welcomed the decision to hand AFTV regular ‘Mr. DT’ a three-year prison sentence.
Following an investigation by TVP, Liam Goodenough, widely known as ‘Mr. DT’, was convicted of kidnapping, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and stalking involving serious alarm or distress after pleading guilty on 5 November 2021, at Aylesbury Crown Court.
Additional charges of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship and disclosing a private sexual photograph with intent to cause distress were to lie on file.
A court heard how, on 24 July last year, Goodenough used a tracking feature on his victim’s phone to locate her in Aylesbury in the early hours of the morning.
He drove to the victim, where she and her friend were assaulted. Goodenough dragged the victim to the car, however a member of the public intervened and was able to get the victim out of the car. Goodenough then drove away.
He was arrested on 26 July and charged the same day, pictured in an Arsenal jumper.
Goodenough was initially sentenced to just 12 months imprisonment and was also handed a restraining order for a period of 10 years.
But TVP and the CPS raised the case for review by the Solicitor General and on January 13, the 42-year-old’s sentence was increased to three years’ imprisonment.
Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP said: “Goodenough subjected the victim to a shocking and frightening ordeal.
“I referred his sentence because I considered it did not reflect the gravity of the offending and was unduly lenient. I am glad that the Court of Appeal agrees.”
Now, Supervising officer, Detective Sergeant Luke Pratt, from Buckinghamshire’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit has declared in a statement: “We welcome the decision by the Solicitor General to increase Goodenough’s sentence.
“He caused great distress to his victim and this updated sentence reflects the seriousness of his behaviour.
“ Thames Valley Police is committed to investigating domestic abuse and bringing offenders to justice.
“We work closely with the CPS, partner agencies and charities to bring a collective response and hope this case provides confidence for other victims to speak out.”
Goodenough, who became well known among Arsenal fans for his rants following matches and boasts almost 250k Twitter followers, was last seen on AFTV media on New Year’s Day, giving his thoughts on the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.
A statement from AFTV on Monday afternoon declared: "This morning we have been made aware of news regarding DT, who was a regular contributor on AFTV until July 2021.
"We are utterly appalled and disgusted by his actions and totally condemn domestic abuse, or violence of any kind
"DT had made us aware of personal issues in his life, however we can unequivocally say that the extent of the information made public by the Government today is new to us
"DT appeared on AFTV on 1st Jan when the severity of his legal case was unbeknownst to us. The recent developments come as a complete shock to all at AFTV.
"In light of the shocking news, DT will be offered absolutely no place on the channel again."
