Tom Wilkinson, a 26-year-old van driver from Morriston, Swansea, has been sentenced to 42 months in prison after attacking a man with a log, hockey stick, and knife, and then running over and killing the victim's dog. The incident occurred on February 1, 2026, in the Morriston area of Swansea, and was heard at Swansea Crown Court on June 23, 2026.
Attack Details
Prosecutor Dyfed Thomas told the court that there was a history between Wilkinson and the victim, Jamie Evans. On the day of the incident, the two men encountered each other while Wilkinson was driving his van. A verbal altercation escalated when Wilkinson threw a log at Evans from inside his van, then exited the vehicle armed with a hockey stick. He struck Evans on the side of the head with the weapon. Evans responded by taking Wilkinson to the ground and telling him to calm down. During a struggle, Wilkinson produced a Stanley knife-type blade and slashed Evans on the arm.
Dog Killed
Evans got up and walked away along Cwmbath Road, believing the incident was over. However, Wilkinson got back into his van and drove at speed toward him. The van slowed as it approached Evans but then accelerated and ran directly over the complainant's dog. The spaniel suffered head trauma, internal injuries, and a suspected fractured spine. It was unresponsive but in pain at the vets, and after strong painkillers, the decision was made with Evans and his family to euthanize the animal.
Victim Impact
In a statement read to the court, Evans said the death of his dog, which he had owned for 12 years, left him feeling "numb and empty." He used to walk the dog several times a day and now does not want to leave the house without his companion. He also reported a burning sensation on his arm from the slash injury. Evans did not seek medical attention for his own injuries.
Defendant's Background
Wilkinson turned himself in to police and falsely claimed that Evans had assaulted him, gouged his eyes, and thrown a log through his van window. He also claimed he did not see the dog when he drove over it. Wilkinson had 14 previous convictions for 31 offences, including burglary, theft, assaulting a police officer, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, public disorder, and being drunk and disorderly. At the time of the incident, he was subject to a community order for two offences of racially-aggravated harassment.
Sentencing
David Singh, representing Wilkinson, said there were problems between the two men stemming from a garage Wilkinson rented. He noted that Wilkinson had suffered a significant brain injury at age 18 with consequential issues. Singh said his client expressed regret for what happened to the dog. Recorder Mark Powell KC described the incident as "deeply unpleasant." Wilkinson pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, possession of a bladed article, and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. With a one-eighth discount for his guilty pleas, he was sentenced to 42 months in prison: 21 months for the matters relating to Evans and 21 months for the animal cruelty charge, to run consecutively. The recorder also revoked the community order and sentenced him to two months for those offences, to be served concurrently. Wilkinson will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence.
