TOO SCARED TO GO OUT
DAD-OF-ONE ON COPING WITH HIS PHYSICAL & MENTAL SCARS
Bottle attack victim, 20, reveals the lasting scars from the unprovoked assault that saw man sent to jail for six years
A 20-YEAR-OLD man left scarred for life after being glassed in the face in a “cowardly and unprovoked attack” said he will be reminded of the incident every time he looks in the mirror.
Arwel Roberts still has flashbacks of the night Rhun Glyn, of Adwy Ddu, Penrhyndeudraeth smashed a bottle over his head before using the jagged edges to slash his cheek.
The father-of-one from Porthmadog needed 17 stitches and said he now fears going out.
On Wednesday, Glyn was found guilty of wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm at Caernarfon Crown Court, and was sentenced to six years behind bars after Judge Huw Rees said the attack could have blinded his victim.
Mr Roberts said he was glad his attacker was off the streets, but told how his scar will serve as a permanent reminder of the incident.
“I used to go out a lot before the attack happened but now I’m scared to,” he said.
“I still have flashbacks and nightmares about it. It’s also changed the person I am and my relationship with my partner because of my anxiety.
“I’ve been left scarred for life and one day my little boy is going to ask me what happened and I’m dreading that.
“The scar is from my eye down to my mouth so I’m never going to be able to forget about what happened.
“I’m reminded every time I look in the mirror.”
Mr Roberts was attacked in the street at Fron Fawr, Blaenau Ffestiniog on July 7 last year.
He and a group of friends had attempted to get into a house party where they encountered Glyn who attacked him.
“We had been drinking in a pub and went to a party in Blaenau Ffestiniog,” said Mr Roberts.
“Glyn just charged at me aggressively, smashed a bottle over my head and used the sharp glass edges to slice my face. “It was scary and traumatic. “I just left and took myself off to A&E where I had 17 stitches.
“The wound took a while to heal and often hurts, especially in the cold weather.”
Glyn, who was 19 at the time, will carry out his sentence in a young offenders’ institution.
His defence solicitor, Kenneth Grant said Glyn had no previous convictions for violence and had “acted out of character.”
He added: “Incarcerating a man of his age could have a significant
effect.” But the judge told Glyn: “You inflicted a serious injury that required 17 stitches. You could have caused him sight impairment or even to lose his vision. “This was a deliberate and purposeful act, sheer aggression disguised as revenge. “It was calculated and deliberate, causing a longs tand ing disfigurement that may be permanent. “It cannot be said that you’ve displayed any remorse. “It could have had even more devastating consequences.” Glyn was also handed an indefinite restraining order which barred him from contacting Mr Roberts and two other witnesses. Reacting to the sentence, Mr Roberts said: “I am satisfied with the six year sentence, I thought it would be a lot less or that he might even get away with it because he denied it. “I’m just happy he’s off the streets.”