Cardiff Street Brawl Lands Two Men Behind Bars

Two men have been jailed after a violent confrontation on one of Cardiff’s busiest shopping streets, with one wielding an improvised weapon. 🚨

Gavin Thomas, 48, and David Smith, 39, were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday following their guilty pleas to affray. Thomas also admitted possession of an offensive weapon after using a battery inside a sock during the altercation.

The court heard that the incident occurred around 8:30pm on January 9 when the pair, who were part of a group of five people congregating near Marks and Spencer on Queen Street, began arguing and exchanging punches.

CCTV footage presented in court showed Smith throwing the first blow, with Thomas initially defending himself before later producing the makeshift weapon and lashing out at his opponent.

Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett told the court there was “a suggestion the argument was over a woman spending more time with Smith instead of her partner Thomas.”

Police arrived promptly at the scene, arresting both men. Smith suffered swelling and bruising to his nose, while Thomas was found bleeding with cuts to his face, forehead and nose.

Thomas, of Caxton Place, Pentwyn, received a 14-week prison sentence, while Smith, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment by Recorder Dyfed Thomas. ⚖️