“Michael White has rightfully been jailed after he carried out assaults on his victim on many occasions, leaving them with injuries.
“Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for us at South Wales Police. Nobody should suffer in silence – this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
PC Ellen Green
Introduction
Domestic violence is a terrible and heinous evil in our society. It raises its ugly head far too often, and no man has the right to raise a hand or strike a woman, whatever the situation. It is just unacceptable in shape or form and must be punished by a court of law whenever it occurs. The news that the Welsh professional snooker player Michael White has been imprisoned for 36 months for bodily harm to his former girlfriend is genuinely shocking, and it amazes me that he was allowed to continue to play while this criminal investigation and trial took place. Only now, after sentencing, has the WPSA decided to remove him from the tour and remove his professional status.
Truly Appalling
No sooner has Snooker picked up the pieces from the recent match-fixing scandal than the sport is submerged in more headline news ahead of the Shanghai Masters later this month. This is a case that many knew about behind closed doors but were waiting to see what the outcome was. I understand someone is innocent until proven guilty, but this incident is not isolated. Liang Wenbo was charged with assaulting a woman on the street in Sheffield and, although suspended, wasn’t finally kicked off the tour until he was shown in a lengthy WPSA investigation to be the ringleader of a match-fixing scam in the sport. He has returned to China and should never return to the game.
White has the right to appeal both verdicts, but as he has pleaded guilty, it is doubtful he will. I praise the police and legal services for bringing this brutal crime to court, and although it is a historic crime, no woman should have to suffer like this, and the mental scars will never leave this person. Seeing red in any capacity is wrong, but to feel you have the right to hit a woman is beyond belief. Every individual in this world should never fear for their life and live in constant trepidation about when the next verbal or physical assault will come. Life is a precious commodity; anyone who breaches that red line must be exposed and punished. This is a sad day for Snooker, and I regret having to report and comment on it.
