BLOOD BROTHERS
CHRISTOPHER AND SIMON TRIGG JAILED FOR 23 YEARS EACH FOR ‘FRENZIED’ KNIFE ATTACK
TWO brothers have been jailed for 23 years trying to murder a man in a “frenzied” knife attack as he walked home from Boxing Day drinks with his fiancée.
Simon Trigg, 33, and his brother Christopher Trigg, 36, denied attempted murder but were found guilty by a jury following a two-week trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
Judge Eleri Rees described the attack as “frenzied and merciless”.
The court heard the incident occurred in Hafodyrynys, Caerphilly, in the early hours of December 27 last year.
Victim Kevin Skye, 47, had been visiting family with his fiancée and they decided to call in at The Hafodyrynys Inn on their way home at about 11.30pm.
Prosecutors said a fight broke out near the toilets involving Simon Trigg and another man before Mr Skye stepped in as “a peacemaker”.
Other people drinking at the pub reported hearing the brothers shout they were going to get knives and “slit everyone’s throats” as the pub closed.
A witness described seeing one of the men carrying a kitchen knife with a 7cm blade.
Michael Jones, prosecuting, said: “This was, the prosecution say, an intentional and unrelenting attack carried out upon a defenceless man.”
He read out a victim statement from Mr Skye, who said: “Before the incident I was extremely fit but now I struggle with normal tasks.”
The victim said he used to enjoy running but now finds it difficult to walk up the stairs. He added he can no longer help family and friends as he used to and has been unable to return to work due to his injuries.
Mr Skye said: “I used to be proud of my body, but now I see scars.”
The court heard he may need further surgery.
On the night of the attack, the victim’s fiancée called 999 and paramedics found he was bleeding from multiple stab wounds.
He was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales by ambulance where he arrived just before 4.50am and underwent emergency surgery.
The court heard he suffered “lifethreatening injuries”.
Mr Jones said: “Without the subsequent medical intervention we say Mr Skye would have died from those severe injuries.
“After perpetrating this horrifying and merciless attack both defendants ran off, leaving him for dead.”
The court heard Mr Skye had “little recollection” of the incident.
Simon Trigg, from The Glyn, and Christopher Trigg, who does not have a fixed address, were arrested at their mother’s home at about 4.30am.
In response to the caution, Christopher Trigg said: “He beat my brother up.”
Michael Mather-Lees QC said his client Christopher Trigg felt “deep remorse” for his actions. He added: “He is not a violent man by nature.”
Christopher Trigg had previously pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent but maintained he had no intent to kill.
William Hughes QC, representing Simon Trigg, said his client had acted “out of character”.
Simon Trigg had denied all involvement in the attack.
Judge Eleri Rees told the brothers the jury had rejected their version of events.
She said: “I am satisfied each of you took a knife to the scene as part of a planned attack.”
The judge noted their motivation was “a mystery” and said it was possibly a case of mistaken identity.
Simon and Christopher Trigg were each jailed for 23 years.
After the case Jason Howells of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The defendants made a choice to arm themselves with a kitchen knife and carry out a vicious, sustained attack.
“Thankfully the treatment administered by friends at the scene and the attending paramedics made a crucial difference to Mr Skye.
“That early intervention, combined with emergency surgery, saved his life.”