Thug jailed after attack on woman

ATHUG who subjected a vulnerable woman to a ferocious attack in her own home has been locked up for 18 months.

Darryl Williams, 43, bludgeoned Sharon Pierce at her house in Prestatyn and threatened to kill her.

At Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday, Williams, of Llanerch Estate, Rowen, Conwy, was sentenced to 18 months behind bars.

The court heard Williams met the victim at a probationary meeting and started communicating with her.

He went over to her house drunk on October 23 last year and, after being refused sex, attacked her.

Neighbour Lisa Kelly heard shouting and swearing next door and called the police.

Ms Pierce was found in her bedroom, covered in blood with a severely bruised face and dishevelled clothes.

Looking at pictures of Ms Pierce’s injuries, Judge David Hale said: “It looks like she sustained a fearsome beating.”

Ms Pierce spent 15 days in hospital recovering after the attack, and still feels pain in her cheek as a result of the incident.

In a statement to the court, she said she “feels scarred” by the assault, and “wakes up at night with a cold sweat after having nightmares and can also no longer sleep in the bedroom where she was found”.

Prosecuting barrister Simon Rogers said: “The defendant attacked her, smothered her with a pillow and threatened to kill her.

“He kicked and punched her several times in the face.”

Williams said he “blacked out” and has no memory of the attack.

Sion Ap Mihangel, defending, said Williams had lost his father shortly before the attack and had turned to drink.

Mr Ap Mihangel said: “He is seeking treatment for his tendency to turn to alcohol as a crutch.”

Sentencing, Judge Hale said: “This was a fearsome and ferocious attack on this lady in her own home.

“You had been drinking but that is no excuse.

“You knew she was a vulnerable woman because you had met at a probation meeting, yet you attacked her anyway.”

Williams was also given an indefinite restraining order against contacting Ms Pierce.