Resolven man jailed for attack after wrongly claiming mockery

A Resolven man who brutally attacked a father in front of his young children after wrongly believing he was being mocked has been jailed for 20 months.

Robin Griffiths, 34, of Neath Road, Resolven, appeared at Swansea Crown Court via video link on Thursday, October 9, where he was sentenced for grievous bodily harm and assault by beating.

The court heard that on the morning of August 11 this year, the victim was upstairs in his Glynneath home gesturing to his two young children who were playing outside when Griffiths walked past shouting and swearing.

Concerned for his children, the man went downstairs and opened his front door to find Griffiths speaking to them. Griffiths then accused the victim of “mocking” him.

When the victim tried to explain he had merely been gesturing to his children, Griffiths punched him in the face. After the victim fell to the ground, he was repeatedly hit in the face before Griffiths stopped and said: “Now you know who I am”.

Another of the victim’s children came outside and helped his father to his feet before telling Griffiths he would call the police. Griffiths then walked towards the son and “slapped him with some force to his chest”, making a similar comment about “knowing who he was”.

The two younger children witnessed both incidents and were crying outside the property. The victim’s injuries were described in court as “extremely distressing to look at”.

Defence barrister Kevin Seal told the court Griffiths had been diagnosed with ADHD and PTSD. He said: “At the age of 18 he joined the army having had reasonable schooling and education. Having spent seven years in the army he was medically discharged with PTSD. Unfortunately for him, his parents and his family, he was let down in many respects by what was made available to him as a veteran.”

Mr Seal said the incident happened while Griffiths was in a “drug induced state” and that his client’s “remorse is genuine”.

Judge Huw Rees imposed a five-year restraining order prohibiting Griffiths from contacting the main victim.