James Badham (Image: Gwent Police)
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A Rhymney man kicked down his neighbour’s front door and attacked him with a knife after a dispute over a parking space escalated into violence.
The confrontation
Cardiff Crown Court heard how James Badham, 34, became involved in an argument with his 68-year-old neighbour on August 20 last year after the older man challenged him for parking outside his home.
Prosecutor Hannah Friedman said Badham told the neighbour he couldn’t tell him what to do before squaring up to him. The neighbour then pushed Badham away – later described as “half a push, half a punch” – and the pair ended up wrestling on the ground.
As Badham walked away from the altercation, the neighbour goaded him, calling out “Tough boy you are” and “Real tough guy. Real hard man.” Badham was heard mumbling that the neighbour “hadn’t heard the end of this.”
The attack
Once the victim and his wife were back inside their home, they heard a loud bang as Badham booted his way through the front door, shouting that he was going to kill the victim, Ms Friedman told the court.
Badham lunged at the older man, who noticed something in his attacker’s hand. The victim struck Badham, but during the struggle felt a sharp pain in his upper arm as Badham plunged a lock knife into him.
Despite being wounded, the victim managed to pin Badham to the floor until police arrived.
The aftermath
The victim attended hospital the following day and was treated for two stab wounds to his right upper arm. Badham sustained a broken nose and a dislocated shoulder during the incident.
Upon arrest, Badham admitted the “red mist” had descended after the initial confrontation outside.
Sentencing
Badham, of Old Brewery Lane, Rhymney, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article, and criminal damage. The court heard he had no previous convictions.
Matthew Cobbe, in mitigation, told the court: “It’s quite clear the first incident deteriorated very very quickly.”
Mr Cobbe acknowledged the victim’s goading had been “unnecessary” but conceded: “The defendant’s behaviour afterwards was outrageous.”
“He should have, could have, returned to his home,” he said, adding that Badham went back to confront the victim because he felt the older man had got the better of him. Mr Cobbe presented references from other neighbours who said the incident “doesn’t reflect his true character.”
Judge Shomon Khan described the initial confrontation as “entirely unnecessary” and said what followed was “completely undeserved.”
He added the attack “must have been a terrifying experience” for the victim and his wife.
Badham was sentenced to three years and four months in prison and a five-year restraining order was imposed to protect the victims.
