Three jailed for Cwmbran home invasion with screwdriver

Three men have been jailed after bursting into a Cwmbran home and demanding money whilst armed with a screwdriver.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that the victim was cooking at home on the evening of 21 May when Connor O’Halloran – who was previously in a relationship with the victim’s daughter – knocked on his door asking to be let in.

As the man answered, Adam Mathias and Daniel Dyas emerged from either side. When the victim refused entry, Dyas asked to use the toilet and was allowed in – but the other two men also pushed their way inside.

The three men told the victim his daughter owed O’Halloran money. Mathias then pulled out a screwdriver, grabbed the victim multiple times, pushed him around the kitchen and went through his pockets whilst O’Halloran made threats.

The victim said he was “terrified” by the incident and tried to de-escalate the situation by showing them his empty wallet. The men then left and he called police.

The defendants were identified from footage recorded in the victim’s kitchen. O’Halloran claimed he had been acting as a peacekeeper, whilst Dyas said he thought they were going to “chill and smoke cannabis”.

Mathias, 28, of Taliesin in Cwmbran, admitted attempted robbery and threatening a person with an article in a private place. He had 29 previous convictions for 43 offences.

O’Halloran, 25, of no fixed abode, and Dyas, 32, of Bowleaze in Cwmbran, both pleaded guilty to affray. Dyas had appeared before the court on 37 previous occasions for 69 offences.

Judge Paul Hobson sentenced Mathias to three years imprisonment, O’Halloran to 16 months, and Dyas to 17 months.