Sonattacked dad who had beaten mum

A MAN broke into his estranged father’s home and bit him during a struggle after childhood memories of his dad attacking his mother resurfaced.

Corey Rowlands, 18, kicked down the door of Christopher Lewis’ home in Gelligaer, Caerphilly, in the early hours of March 26 and assaulted him while his grandmother and half-brother looked on.

Prior to the attack, Rowlands had told family members he was going to attack Mr Lewis after he had witnessed the victim beating his mother when he was just five years old.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday heard Rowlands and his father had been out of contact since the latter was jailed for 18 months for the assault 13 years ago.

But at around on 4.30am on March 26 the defendant became agitated and drove to Mr Lewis’ home in Heol-y-Waun.

His mother called the police at 4.35am but by the time they got to the property Rowlands had left for his father’s home.

Mr Lewis’ elderly mother Mandy Lewis was woken by the defendant shouting to be let in. She told him to go away but he kicked and broke down the front door.

Prosecutor Steven Donoghue said the defendant walked upstairs while carrying a vacuum cleaner pipe but Mrs Lewis blocked him on the stairs and wrestled it from him. Having become aware of what was happening, Mr Lewis locked himself in his own bedroom.

Rowlands began barging and pushing the victim’s bedroom door before breaking it in half and entering the room.

Mr Donoghue added: “There ensued a struggle where the complainant managed to get the defendant in a headlock and the defendant bit him to the upper ribcage and his right nipple.

“The struggle lasted for some time, with the other son and Mrs Lewis getting involved, trying to pull the defendant off. Ten to 15 minutes passed, by which time the police managed to get to the scene.”

Rowlands, of Brynheulog Street, Penybryn, Caerphilly, was arrested and gave a “no comment” interview but he did apologise.

He later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of criminal damage. The court also heard Rowlands was in breach of an eight-week sentence suspended for 12 months after being convicted of assaulting an emergency worker last January.

Defence barrister Marian Lewis said Rowlands had suffered the “traumatic experience” of witnessing his mother being assaulted by his father, who had tried to make contact with the defendant over Facebook earlier this year.

She said her client became “distressed and unhinged” as a result of this and took to drink. She added: “He lost his self-control and felt he had to confront him.”

Recorder Dyfed Thomas said: “You experienced something that no five-yearold should experience and it has stayed with you, but none of that justifies or excuses your behaviour. People should feel safe in their homes no matter what their background is.”

Rowlands was sentenced to eight months of detention, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to carry out a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 60 hours of unpaid work.