Man jailed for brutal assault on former friend in Pembroke

A Pembroke man who violently attacked a former friend inside her own home has been handed a 21-month prison sentence at Cardiff Crown Court.

Conor Carter, 33, of Laugharne Close, burst into the woman’s home on the evening of November 12, where she had been sleeping on her sofa. The pair had known each other for over six years, but their friendship had recently broken down.

Carter grabbed the victim by her throat and hair before pulling her from the sofa and throwing her around the room. He hurled various items at her and launched a metal ladder in her direction, which smashed a chandelier-style light fitting. The attack escalated as Carter repeatedly pushed her head down and struck it against the floor “over and over again”.

Following the assault, the victim sought treatment at Withybush Hospital’s emergency department for a laceration to her cheek. She also suffered significant bruising and swelling to her face, head and eye socket.

Initially, Carter denied the assault and even claimed he wasn’t present at the address during his police interview the next day. However, he later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard Carter had eight previous convictions for 13 offences, including battery, assault and unlawful wounding. He was already subject to a community order at the time of the attack after being convicted of battery and theft in July last year.

His defence barrister, Dyfed Thomas, told the court: “He accepts clearly there was a massive loss of temper. He doesn’t seek to justify any of his actions.”

Passing sentence, Judge Paul Thomas KC described what happened, saying: “It was a brutal and wholly unjustified attack that you launched. You threw her around like a ragdoll.”

The judge added: “I’m afraid that because of the background and the early breach of the community order, there is no realistic chance of rehabilitation.”

Carter was jailed for 21 months for the assault and re-sentenced to three months – running concurrently – for his previous battery and theft convictions. His community order was revoked, and the victim was granted a four-year restraining order.