Pair jailed after brain damage attack

A Cwmbran couple have been jailed after a row over playground-bullying allegations led to an attack which left a man with permanent brain damage.

Tracey Morgan, 34, and her partner Neil Thomas, 35, carried out the assault on Jason Collier and his friend Ian Austin after a dispute about school bullying involving their relatives.

It is quite incredible that school bullying should lead to something like this

Judge Philip Richards

At the hearing at, Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday, Thomas admitted grievous bodily harm with intent and wounding with intent and was jailed for four years.

Morgan was sentenced to 12 months after pleading guilty at to grievous bodily harm and wounding.

The court heard how the incident began last April when Morgan used her walking stick to strike Mr Collier over the head.

As Mr Austin stepped in to assist his friend, Thomas used an eight-inch knife and stabbed him in the head and body.

Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett said: "Mr Austin made a brave attempt to stop things getting out of hand."

He said that Mr Austin had used a baseball bat "in attempt to protect his family and property", but Thomas charged at him and attacked him with a knife.

Surgery

The judge was told Mr Austin was stabbed in the head with such a blow he suffered a fractured skull.

A second stabbing to his chest caused a piece of lung to be removed.

The court heard that, as Mr Collier pulled Thomas away, the defendant attacked him with the knife.

His arm was slashed, causing the muscle to be damaged.

'Vicious'

Mr Austin, who lost seven litres of blood as a result of the attack, needed head surgery for his injuries.

He has been left with permanent brain damage.

Peter Heywood, defending Morgan said the bullying row had been a "festering sore" between the two families.

Judge Philip Richards said: "It is quite incredible that school bullying should lead to something like this.

"It was pure providence that Mr Austin was not killed.

"You (Thomas) stabbed him with two vicious, murderous blows."