A Newport man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after a terrifying home invasion where he assaulted two people he knew and stole money and belongings. 👮♂️
Gareth Jasons, 45, of Monnow Way, Newport, appeared at Newport Crown Court after pleading guilty to burglary, actual bodily harm, robbery, theft and possession of a bladed article.
The court heard that on June 25, 2024, Jasons had a verbal disagreement with Simon Hadfield and Kelly Becher at their home, making threats of violence before being asked to leave.
At 3am the following day, Jasons returned with an accomplice wearing a balaclava. The pair forced their way into the house where Mr Hadfield was in his bedroom and Ms Becher was asleep on the sofa.
During the attack, Jasons knocked out Ms Becher’s tooth and left her with significant facial bruising, which she said was “in agony” for days. He then picked up a knife, threatening to kill her, causing a graze to her arm. Jasons also instructed his accomplice to punch Mr Hadfield.
The court heard Jasons took Ms Becher’s handbag and forced Mr Hadfield to hand over his phone, wallet and bank card. He then made Mr Hadfield withdraw £200 from a Co-Op cashpoint and a further £250 later that day – not even allowing him time to put his shoes on.
In her victim impact statement, Ms Becher said:
“I thought Gareth was going to kill me and I have never been so scared in my life.” She now suffers nightly nightmares and added: “This happened in my own home and I still live here which can be tough.”
The court was told Jasons had “a string of previous convictions” including similar offences. His defence explained that he had experienced domestic abuse as a child, was placed in care at age seven, and struggled with “chronic drug addiction.”
During sentencing, Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant noted the victims were at home and “entitled to feel safe,” adding: “They both speak of the physical and emotional pain you caused them.”
The judge described Jasons’ criminal record as “deplorable” dating back to the 1990s, with this being his third dwelling house burglary.
Jasons received a total sentence of 84 months – 58 months for robbery with concurrent sentences for burglary and theft, plus 26 months consecutively for actual bodily harm. 🔒
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