Relationship caused attack

AN ENRAGED son launched a violent attack after learning a colleague and friend of 20 years had begun a relationship with his mother, a court heard.

Luke Morgan, 32, of Heol Bryncwils, Sarn, was sentenced to 12 months’ in jail, suspended for 18 months.

AN ENRAGED son launched a violent attack after learning his colleague and friend of 20 years had begun a relationship with his mother, a court heard.

Luke Morgan, 32, smashed his way into long-time friend Richard Williams’ home and hit him over the head with a broom and sunk his teeth into his head before smashing up the house.

When Mr Williams ran from the scene Morgan – who had threatened to stab his victim – destroyed items including a mattress which he slashed with a knife.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court was told Morgan became incensed after Mr Williams began a relationship with his mother.

At around 2.40pm on February 19 Mr Williams was in his Bridgend home when he heard a loud smashing sound outside. He went to the front of the house when he heard another smashing sound at the back of the property. Prosecutor Byron Broadstock said when the victim reached the back of the house he saw a patio door had been smashed and saw Morgan carrying a large stick – believed to be a broom with the end snapped off.

Morgan approached Mr Williams and assaulted him using the broom as well as headbutting and biting him.

The victim asked the defendant why he was attacking him, to which Morgan replied: “My brother is on his way and I’m going to get a knife and stab you.”

Mr Williams managed to get away from the defendant and ran from the address barefoot – cutting his feet on broken glass.

As a result of the assault he sustained bite marks and bumps to his head, and bruising and swelling to his left eye.

Once the victim was gone Morgan admitted he

“lost control of his emotions” and caused £2,600 of damage to Mr Williams’ house by trashing a television, sound bar, fridge freezer, kitchen table, chairs, sofa bed, two sofas, and patio doors as well as smashing a bedroom window.

The defendant, of Heol Bryncwils, Sarn, Bridgend, pleaded guilty to burglary, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and criminal damage.

Defence barrister Adam Sharp said his client’s behaviour was “totally out of character” and the “revelation” of his mother’s relationship with Mr Williams had caused him to lose control.

He added: “He had previously lived and worked alongside the victim prior to this offence. The defendant was completely incapable of controlling his emotions in reaction to that news. He was also in the process of a painful break-up with his common- law wife, who he has two children with.”

Sentencing, Judge David Wynn Morgan said: “There’s no excuse for what you did on that day. There may have been reasons as to why you were aghast with your victim but there’s no good reason for your complete lack of self-control.”

Morgan was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and complete a 12-day rehabilitation activity requirement.