A man lost the sight in his eye after a violent brawl at the Royal Oak pub in Cardiff, where chairs and glasses were used as weapons. Covie Hallam-Rose, 26, pressed his thumb into the victim's eye, causing permanent damage.
The Incident
On April 2, 2023, Hallam-Rose, Molly Geoghegan, 27, and Jack Trigg, 27, were drinking at the pub when an argument erupted with a woman at another table. A racial slur was used, escalating the conflict. Hallam-Rose charged toward the group despite attempts to restrain him.
Geoghegan threw a drink and then a glass at the woman. The fight intensified, leading Hallam-Rose to take Steven Nicholas to the floor and deliberately press his thumb into his left eye—described by Judge Daniel Williams as a "needless and cynical act of violence."
Further Violence
After being restrained, Hallam-Rose briefly left but re-entered and attacked a middle-aged woman who had tried to calm Geoghegan. He delivered an uppercut and rained blows on the defenceless woman. He then left again with Trigg, throwing glasses and chairs at the pub door, causing extensive damage.
Phillip Kavanagh, 35, initially acted as a peacemaker but later lost his temper and fought with Trigg. Geoghegan, after throwing the glass, put down her handbag and punched the woman who was later assaulted by Hallam-Rose, her then-boyfriend.
Victim Impact
In a victim personal statement, Mr Nicholas said: "Since this incident I haven't been out socialising as much as I used to do and I'm apprehensive if there are a lot of rowdy people around." He had three operations in April 2023 to repair a detached retina and remove bleeding and the lens from that eye. A new lens was inserted, but he remains worried about his good eye.
Sentencing
Hallam-Rose, of Radyr Court Close, Llandaff, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and affray. He was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment.
Geoghegan, of Heol y Cadno, Thornhill, and Trigg, of Kennilworth Court, Fairwater, both pleaded guilty to affray. Geoghegan received nine months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 160 hours unpaid work, and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Trigg was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 250 hours unpaid work, a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and ordered to pay £500 costs.
Kavanagh, of Bryn Heulog, Whitchurch, was found guilty of affray after a trial. He received six months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 180 hours unpaid work, a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £1,000, and ordered to pay £500 costs.
In mitigation, Sol Hartley for Hallam-Rose said his client did not intend serious harm and "bitterly regrets" his actions, describing them as "out of character." Cat Jones for Geoghegan said she acted "out of character" and is "deeply remorseful and deeply embarrassed." Josh Scouller for Kavanagh said he became involved to defend his parents.
