Mark Hagland and Tracy Williams (Image: South Wales Police)
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A man and woman have been sentenced to prison after luring a victim to a property in Pontprennau where they subjected him to a violent assault that left him with multiple broken ribs.
Mark Hagland, 54, of Knox Road, Adamsdown, was given 18 months’ imprisonment while Tracy Williams, 39, of Fford Williamson, received 16 months after both pleaded guilty to wounding and inflicting grievous bodily harm at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, May 21.
The lure
Williams had spent around two months messaging Moussa Ayeb through Facebook Messenger during which she had asked him for money. On December 7, 2023, she video called the victim claiming she felt lonely and invited him to bring alcohol to her home.
When Mr Ayeb arrived at the address, Hagland was already present and was introduced as Williams’ brother.
The attack
Prosecutor Jac Brown told the court the three ate food together before moving to Williams’ bedroom where the defendants drank alcohol, listened to music and smoked crack cocaine. Mr Ayeb declined to take the drug, but Williams blew smoke into his mouth, leaving him feeling “disorientated”.
After discovering Mr Ayeb was Muslim, Hagland turned aggressive – slapping the victim across the face and knocking him to the ground. He kicked Mr Ayeb in the chest and threatened to murder him, then demanded money to “make amends”.
Williams joined in the violence, punching Mr Ayeb in the chest while Hagland stripped to his underpants. She then hurled pasta sauce over the victim’s face and forced him into a bathtub that had been filled with water.
Mr Ayeb was pushed down the stairs, striking his head against the wall and leaving a bloody mark. He was strangled before Williams brandished a kitchen knife and threatened to cut off his fingers.
Police arrival and false allegation
A neighbour contacted police, prompting Hagland to flee the property in his underpants. Mr Ayeb managed to escape wearing soaking wet clothes.
When officers arrived, Williams told them she had been sexually assaulted by the victim. Mr Ayeb was found in the street and initially arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. He was later taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with multiple rib fractures.
Hagland was discovered hiding beneath garden furniture at a neighbouring property. Both defendants were subsequently arrested.
Criminal records
The court heard Hagland had 30 previous convictions for offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and battery. Williams had six previous convictions including common assault.
Mitigation
Andrew Kendal, representing Hagland, said his client had experienced a difficult upbringing and entered the care system at 14. He had struggled with substance abuse for most of his life and wished to care for his mother, who has dementia, upon release.
Sol Hartley, for Williams, told the court his client had a difficult background, became pregnant at a young age and suffered with substance misuse. She had also experienced abuse from former partners.
Sentencing
Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: “Each of you played a part in that household to cause the victim very serious injuries indeed.”
