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A young woman lured her ex-boyfriend to a late-night meeting point by pretending she needed help – only for two men to ambush him in his car in what a judge described as a “truly brutal assault.”
The plan
Mold Crown Court heard that Summer Marl-Brock, 21, had contacted her former partner Benjamin Edwards on the night of August 17, 2024, claiming she had been out drinking and was alone. Concerned for her welfare, Mr Edwards agreed to meet her halfway at shops in Ewloe.
But prosecutor Jemma Gordan told the court that Marl-Brock was not alone – she was with her cousin David Brock, 38, and Aaron Evans, 34. The trio had spent the evening together planning the attack.
“They were lying in wait,” said Ms Gordan.
The court heard that Mr Edwards and Marl-Brock had been in a relationship for around 12 months, which ended in “acrimony,” with accusations of violence from both sides. Marl-Brock had been telling others about what had happened, and this became “the catalyst” for the assault.
Brock had previously messaged Mr Edwards, asking “who do you think you are hitting my cousin Summer?” Mr Edwards tried to calm the situation, but further threats followed.
The attack
When Mr Edwards arrived, Brock attacked him through the driver side door of his car – punching, kicking and even biting him on the face – while Evans launched an assault through the passenger side door.
Marl-Brock filmed the prolonged attack, with laughter audible on the footage. Judge Simon Mills said she continued recording until she was satisfied Mr Edwards had been attacked enough, before calling on Brock to stop as the incident became “out of control.”
Mr Edwards was left trapped in his vehicle and at one point crashed his car while trying to escape, before eventually getting away. Police were called.
The injuries
Mr Edwards suffered haemorrhaging to his eyes, bruising and swelling across his face and head, a small fracture to part of his jaw, bite marks and a wound to his ear.
In a victim personal statement, he said he now struggled with sleeping, suffered nightmares and had difficulty in social situations. He experienced panic attacks and had scarring that served as a constant reminder of the assault.
The defendants
Brock, of High Street, Mold, had 14 previous convictions for 29 offences, including assault, possession of an offensive weapon and malicious communication. Judge Mills said this attack represented a “distinct escalation” in his violent offending.
Evans, of Moorfields, Holway, Holywell, had 31 convictions for 54 offences, including assault, possession with intent to supply drugs, racially aggravated assault and assaulting an emergency worker.
Marl-Brock, of Hall Street, Rhos, Wrexham, had one previous conviction for a driving offence.
Mitigation
Defending Evans, Maria Masselis said her client had entered an early guilty plea and was intoxicated at the time. The court heard Evans was married with eleven children between them, and that his wife had a medical condition. He had suffered mental health issues and expressed “motivation” to move away from offending.
Deborah White, representing Brock, said he had also entered an early guilty plea. He had been diagnosed with a personality disorder, was alcohol dependent and had a difficult childhood, losing both parents as a young boy before being raised by his grandmother.
Andrew Jebb, defending Marl-Brock, told the court she had suffered from anxiety, depression, bulimia and anorexia. She had recently suffered a stroke requiring hospital care and had been diagnosed with a hole in the heart that required repair. She was just 20 at the time of the offence.
Sentencing
All three admitted Section 18 wounding with intent. Brock had entered his guilty plea earlier than the other two defendants.
Judge Mills told them: “You all played your individual parts in a truly brutal assault, that was carried out in the early hours of 17 August 2024.” He said Mr Edwards had been “lured” to the scene for a planned act of “revenge” over perceived wrongdoing.
The judge described the video recorded by Marl-Brock as a “truly shocking piece of evidence” and said: “The biting is a particularly chilling feature of this case.” Mr Edwards had been given no chance to defend himself, the judge added, having been “trapped” in the car.
Brock was deemed to pose a “significant risk” to the public and was handed an extended sentence of seven years and two months in prison, with an additional three years on licence upon release. He can apply for parole after serving two thirds of his custodial term but will only be released if considered safe.
Evans was sentenced to six years and three months, with two thirds to be served in custody.
Marl-Brock received a sentence of 54 months, with two thirds to be served before release on licence. The court heard she would have access to health care in prison.
All three were made subject to a 15-year restraining order preventing them from contacting Mr Edwards, and must pay a statutory surcharge.
