Chelsea Griffiths (Image: South Wales Police)
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A woman who kicked and stamped on a man’s head while he lay defenceless on the floor has been sentenced to 52 months in prison.
Chelsea Griffiths, 34, of Martins Close, Abercynon, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm against Ioan Watkins and common assault against a woman who tried to help him. She was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.
The assault
The court heard that on February 16, those present at a flat in Abercynon had been drinking when an argument broke out. Griffiths struck Mr Watkins in the face without provocation while he was playing on an Xbox.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Jones told the court that witnesses saw the defendant block Mr Watkins from leaving the room before pushing him to the ground. While he remained on the floor, she punched him in the face and grabbed him by the neck.
Mr Watkins curled into a ball in an effort to shield himself, but Griffiths stamped on his head six times and then kicked his head a further six times. Others tried to restrain her but were unable to stop the attack.
Attempts to help
Krista Middleditch, who was working a night shift at the flats, witnessed Griffiths continuing to kick and stamp on Mr Watkins’ already bloodied head, ignoring repeated pleas to stop. The defendant was also seen to spit towards the victim but missed.
When Ms Middleditch tried to administer first aid, Griffiths grabbed her by the arms and around the waist to physically prevent her, shouting “I’ll f****** kill you”.
Injuries
Police arrived and arrested Griffiths. Mr Watkins was taken to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, where medical staff found he had sustained a broken nose, two wounds to his forehead and eyebrow, swollen eye sockets, and blurred vision.
Victim impact
In a statement read to the court, Mr Watkins said:
“I still have difficulty remembering what happened. I know I feel haunted by memories of lying face down in a pool of my own blood. For the first two weeks after the incident I had difficulty sleeping and had night terrors… I suffered with anxiety and a lack of trust with people, in particular females. Overall I feel deeply affected mentally and emotionally.”
Ms Middleditch also provided a statement:
“The scene I witnessed was horrific. The intensity of the assault made me fear something similar would happen to me. I find it difficult to switch off my memories and become anxious. This occurred when I was in work and was called upon to assist and now I’m anxious when in work.”
Mitigation
Defence counsel Stephen Thomas told the court that both of Griffiths’ parents had died, which had a “catastrophic effect” on her ability to cope. She turned to drink and drugs, becoming dependent on both substances.
The court heard Griffiths has three children with whom she has no contact and suffers from underlying mental health issues. She had been living a “chaotic” lifestyle but described her period on remand in custody as “saving her life”.
Griffiths has three previous convictions for offences including assaults on emergency workers, common assault, criminal damage, and possessing an offensive weapon.
Sentencing
Recorder Paul Lewis KC told the defendant:
“You attacked him gratuitously… It was deliberate, persistent and prolonged.”
Griffiths was sentenced to 52 months’ imprisonment, of which she will serve two thirds in custody. She was also made subject to two restraining orders, each lasting five years.
