Victim ‘lucky to be alive’ after violent assault
A VICTIM of unprovoked “extreme violence” said he felt lucky to be alive after being punched, kicked, and stamped on then stabbed in the stomach.
Ryan Ford was treated with internal stitches and 28 staples after he was stabbed in the abdomen with a knife during an attack in the early hours of the morning.
Sentencing the assailants at Cardiff Crown Court , Judge Eleri Rees said: “It is clear that this was a most serious and alarming incident of group violence.”
The court heard the incident occurred at Bron-Y-Waun in Garth, Maesteg, in the early hours of October 22 last year.
Christopher Rees, prosecuting, said Kateland Blower was at a friend’s house with her boyfriend Jordan Jones and Connor Lewis.
Prosecutors said Ryan Ford, who was known as ‘Mousey,’ knew Lewis and arrived at the address.
The court heard Mr Ford could tell the defendants “had a problem with him”.
Mr Rees said Jones started the violence by punching Mr Ford in the face and then all three started to attack him.
Prosecutors said the victim backed away but fell to the floor and there were repeated kicks to his head and body.
A witness heard Blower shout: “Stamp on his head. Kill him.”
The court heard the punching, kicking and stamping continued while Lewis briefly left the scene.
Another witness said he was “very worried” because it was two on one and went to intervene.
Prosecutors said Blower swore at him: “It’s got f-all to do with you.”
The court heard she shouted and swore at him and his partner.
Prosecutors said Blower and Jones left, allowing Mr Ford to get away, but then the defendants returned and backed him up against a car.
Mr Rees said: “All three were surrounding him. He was begging them to stop.”
The court heard Mr Ford looked Lewis in the eye and said: “Come on Connor - we’re meant to be mates.”
Mr Rees said: “Lewis stabbed him in the stomach.
“He could feel himself bleeding and he knew he was gravely injured.”
Prosecutors said Mr Ford walked away and sat against a wall, feeling “shaky”. He lifted his top and could see a very serious injury. Emergency services arrived and pressure was applied to the wound to try and stop the bleeding.
He was taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend , where he was given internal stitches and 28 staples to seal the L-shaped wound. Mr Rees said: “He felt extremely lucky to have survived.”
The court heard Blower and Jones were detained while Lewis “disappeared” from the scene. Prosecutors said Blower was aggressive and swore at a police officer.
She spat directly in his face before other officers arrived and put her in a cage in the back of a police vehicle with a bite and spit guard on her head.
Lewis was arrested at 4.10am and replied to the caution: “All right, I’ll be remanded.”
He answered “no comment” to all questions in his police interview while Jones claimed Mr Ford had punched him first and he was acting in self-defence.
Blower told officers there had been an argument when Mr Ford arrived but she denied causing any injury and claimed she was concussed. She accepted threatening to spit at the police officer but said the act itself never actually happened.
Prosecutors said the knife was never recovered and suggested Lewis had disposed of it.
Mr Rees argued aggravating features included the fact it was a sustained assault by three people, involving repeated violence, culminating in the use of a knife.
He added: “They were very serious injuries.”
Judge Rees noted there seemed to be no provocation and described the incident as “a punishment beating of some kind”.
She said all three defendants were “equally enthusiastic” when the assault began.
The judge told Lewis: “It has to be said you are fortunate that you are not facing a murder charge given the weapon that was used and the nature of the injuries.”
Lewis, 23, from Pond Mawr in Garth, Maesteg , admitted wounding with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He also admitted breaching a restraining order and non-molestation order.
Prosecutors said he had been before the courts for 23 previous offences including battery, common assault, and possessing a knife.
He was judged to present a high risk of serious harm to the public.
Andrew Evans, defending, said his client could not remember what happened but accepted he used “extreme violence”.
He added: “He understands his actions were wholly unacceptable.”
Lewis was given a 12-year extended sentence made up of nine years in custody and a three-year extended licence period.
He must serve at least two thirds of the jail term before he can be considered for release by the parole board.
Jones, 20, from John Street in Price Town, Nant-Y-Moel, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Adam Sharp, defending, said his client had no previous convictions or cautions and argued the offending was “out of character”.
He told the court Jones was in a brief relationship with Blower and perceived Mr Ford as a threat.
Mr Sharp added: “That is no excuse whatsoever for what he did.”
Jones was given a 12-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 15 days of a rehabilitation activity, plus 180 hours of unpaid work.
Blower, 20, from Tudor Estate in Caerau, Maesteg, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting a police officer. Prosecutors said she had been before the courts for four previous offences including battery, common assault and racially aggravated harassment.
Rhodri Chudleigh, defending, said she had a “difficult upbringing” as both of her parents were affected by substance misuse.
The court heard she has completed several qualifications and was a full-time carer for her mother.
Blower was given 13 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 20 days of a rehabilitation activity, plus 180 hours of unpaid work.