A man who punched a motorist through an open car window in a road rage attack in Newport has been jailed for 28 months. Anthony Morgan, 54, caused severe facial injuries to driver Colin Harry after striking him with keys in his hand.
Attack in Clarence Place
The incident happened in Clarence Place, Newport, at around 12.45pm on September 24, after Morgan walked out in front of Mr Harry's car. Mr Harry was forced to brake suddenly and said, "I could have killed you."
Morgan then began punching Mr Harry to the face, with his keys in his hand to act as a weapon, while the victim was still inside his car. Prosecutor Abdallah Barakat told Cardiff Crown Court that Morgan said his "wife was dying" and that he was going to get an ambulance.
Threats and injuries
Morgan added: "I'm going to get a knife now and finish the job, and take your eyes." He blocked the driver's side door to prevent Mr Harry from getting out and struck him repeatedly with the keys in his hand. Two people shouted at Morgan to stop and filmed the attack before he walked away.
Mr Harry suffered two black eyes, a bloodshot eye, cuts to his nose and mouth, cuts to his ear, a loose tooth and cuts to his arms. Officers attended Morgan's home later that day and arrested him, but he claimed Mr Harry punched him twice to the face.
Guilty plea and sentence
Morgan, of Livale Court, Newport, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. The court heard he has 17 previous convictions, including four previous offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Harry said: "The incident affected me in many different ways. The injuries caused me to become unsightly and I didn't want to go out for at least a week. I didn't want people to see my face, I felt like people were staring at me and it made me feel uncomfortable." He added that he was unable to eat for two weeks and now changes his route into town as he does not wish to use that road again.
Recorder Greg Bull KC described Morgan's criminal record as "disturbing" and involving a "similar course of violent behaviour." Morgan was sentenced to a total of 28 months imprisonment.
