Chelsea Griffiths, 34, has been jailed for 52 months after a vicious attack on Ioan Watkins, whom she repeatedly kicked and stamped on the head, leaving him in a pool of blood. She also assaulted a woman who attempted to administer first aid.
Attack at Abercynon Flat
The assault occurred on February 16 at a flat in Abercynon while Mr Watkins was playing on an Xbox. An argument broke out after those present had been drinking, and Griffiths hit him in the face in an unprovoked assault. Witnesses at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that Griffiths prevented Mr Watkins from leaving the room and pushed him to the floor.
While the victim was on the floor, Griffiths punched him in the face and gripped his neck. Mr Watkins curled into a ball, and she stamped on his head six times before kicking him in the head six times. Prosecutor Jeffrey Jones said attempts to restrain her failed as she continued the assault.
Intervention and Injuries
Krista Middleditch, working a night shift at the flats, saw Griffiths kick and stamp on Mr Watkins' already bloodied head, ignoring pleas to stop. Griffiths spat at Mr Watkins but missed. When Ms Middleditch tried to help, Griffiths grabbed her arms and shouted, "I'll f****** kill you." She also grabbed Ms Middleditch around the waist to prevent first aid.
Police arrived and arrested Griffiths. Mr Watkins was taken to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil with injuries including a broken nose, two wounds to his forehead and eyebrow, swollen eye sockets, and blurred vision.
Victim Impact
In a victim personal statement, 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... I suffered with anxiety and a lack of trust with people, in particular females. Overall I feel deeply affected mentally and emotionally."
Ms Middleditch added: "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."
Sentencing and Mitigation
Griffiths, of Martins Close, Abercynon, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and common assault. She has three previous convictions for assaults on emergency workers, common assault, criminal damage, and possessing an offensive weapon.
In mitigation, Stephen Thomas said both of Griffiths' parents died, which had a "catastrophic effect" on her ability to cope, leading to drink and drug dependency. She has three children with whom she has no contact, and underlying mental health issues. She described remand as "saving her life."
Recorder Paul Lewis KC said: "You attacked him gratuitously... It was deliberate, persistent and prolonged." Griffiths was sentenced to 52 months imprisonment, serving two-thirds in custody, and made subject to two five-year restraining orders.
