Christopher Newman and Carl Newman (Image: South Wales Police)
Last Updated: 23 hours ago
Two brothers have been jailed after a vicious assault that left a man unconscious with a fractured skull and eye socket outside their home in Caerau, Cardiff.
Christopher Newman, 44, and Carl Newman, 39, both of Heol y Gaer, Caerau, were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. Both had originally been charged with attempted murder.
The arrangement
The court heard that on June 25 last year, victim Luke Spinks and a friend had arranged to buy cannabis from Christopher Newman and attended the brothers’ home in Heol y Gaer.
When they arrived, Carl Newman was outside the property topless and told Mr Spinks his brother was not there but would be arriving shortly.
The confrontation
An argument broke out between Carl Newman and Mr Spinks, with threats of violence exchanged. Carl Newman armed himself with a shovel and swung it towards the victim, telling him: “I’ll smash your head in now.”
Mr Spinks picked up an item from a wheelbarrow, and after Carl Newman went back inside the house, the victim threw the shovel at the front door, smashing glass.
Carl Newman came back outside and warned Mr Spinks: “Watch my brother come now, he’s going to kill you bruv. You can f*** off or I’m going to smash your head in now.”
Prosecutor Laurence Jones told the court that as Mr Spinks continued making threats, Carl Newman said: “When my brother gets back, you’re dead innit.”
The attack
Christopher Newman then arrived in a Jaguar and drove directly towards Mr Spinks on the green in what was described as a “direct and deliberate” manner. The victim managed to avoid a head-on collision but was struck by the side of the vehicle and thrown to the ground, suffering leg injuries.
Carl Newman then emerged from the house carrying a pole and chased after the injured victim. When Mr Spinks tripped over a tree, both brothers set upon him – Christopher Newman striking him with a large wrench and Carl Newman with a pole, while also punching and kicking him on the ground.
Mr Spinks was hit to the left side of his head with such force he described it as feeling like being struck with a hammer. He was knocked unconscious, having suffered a fractured skull and eye socket.
The brothers only stopped their assault when Mr Spinks fell silent and lay motionless on the ground.
The aftermath
When the victim’s friend ran towards him, Christopher Newman warned: “F*** off from here or I’ll f****** kill you.”
The brothers then fled in the Jaguar, which was later found abandoned. DNA evidence recovered from the vehicle linked both men to the attack. Mr Spinks’ friend performed CPR on him until emergency services arrived.
Mr Spinks was taken to hospital where he was treated for his skull and eye socket fractures, a compound fracture to his left hand, and internal injuries to his lungs and liver.
Victim’s words
In a victim personal statement read to the court by Mr Jones, Mr Spinks said: “I thought they were my friends as I had known them for many years. My life changed, it had a serious effect on myself and my family. I struggle to do day to day activities, every day is a struggle for me. I’m scared and anxious to be alone and around people because of my head injury… On a number of occasions I’ve had thoughts of not being here anymore.”
Sentencing
The court heard both brothers have previous convictions for violent offences. In mitigation, it was said both had experienced difficult upbringings, with their father being an alcoholic and violent, and their sister dying at just 25 years old.
Sentencing, Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: “You left (Mr Spinks) literally for dead on the green. You were unsympathetic and unremorseful for what you had done and there was an element of rejoicing.”
Christopher Newman and Carl Newman were each sentenced to six years and four months’ imprisonment. Both were also made subject to a restraining order for five years.
