Cardiff Crown Court (Image: Huw Evans Agency / Alamy)
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A father who subjected his children to repeated physical abuse – including punching, kicking, slapping and dragging one by her hair – has been given a suspended prison sentence at Cardiff Crown Court.
The children’s ordeal
The court heard the defendant would regularly lose his temper with his children, lashing out physically when they made noise around the house. His violent outbursts left the children retreating to their bedrooms in fear.
One child described being punched and kicked to the legs and knees on multiple occasions, suffering pain and bruising. Another said the assaults happened around two to three times a week, with slaps and punches that left visible handprints and marks on their body. A third child reported being struck to the arms and legs, also resulting in pain and bruising.
The eldest child told the court her father had grabbed her by the hair and dragged her upstairs, causing her significant pain and distress. She was also smacked on the legs.
The children described their father as “controlling” and “angry”, and said living with him left them feeling “anxious and frightened”.
Life after he left
In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Sali Harmes, the children’s mother spoke of the transformation since the defendant moved out of the family home.
She said: “The atmosphere in the house is different, we’re no longer waiting for the next raised voice or slammed door. Life seems easier and the children are happier and not anxious any more. They sleep and eat better, communicate better.
“They miss him but they understand why he needs to be punished. The house is calm and children are allowed to be children and it’s lovely watching them play together.”
The children echoed their mother’s account, saying they were happier without their father in the house because there was less shouting and they no longer had to manage his volatile moods.
One of them said: “We miss him but we don’t feel scared anymore and feel less anxious at home.”
Mitigation
The defendant pleaded guilty to four counts of causing unnecessary suffering or injury to a child or young person.
His barrister, Alice Sykes, told the court her client suffered from “poor emotional control” and that his time serving in the armed forces had left him with unresolved trauma. She said he was now receiving counselling through a veterans charity to address his aggressive behaviour, adding: “He is deeply deeply ashamed of his behaviour.”
Sentencing
Judge Jeremy Jenkins condemned the defendant’s treatment of his children before passing sentence.
He said: “You treated those children abominably. Children are a joy… Of course they drive you to distraction from time to time but that’s the nature of a child. Treating them in the way you did was a disgrace.”
The defendant received 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He was also made subject to a three-year restraining order, ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity requirement, and told to pay £150 in costs.
