Brynmawr knifeman slashed victim after partying with him

South Wales Argus

3 hours ago

Anthony Foley, 36, from Brynmawr went to Kieran Smith's flat in Bargoed the next day and punched him while he was asleep on his sofa.
The defendant then slashed the 'dazed' victim twice to the forearm with the blade, causing 'serious gashes' on his left forearm.
He and Mr Smith had been drinking and taking drugs together with others hours before the attack.
The motive for the violence was 'unclear' but may have been because Foley was angry about him having something to do with his ex-girlfriend leaving him.
Emily Jermin, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court how Mr Smith was taken to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil for treatment.
In a victim impact statement, he said: 'I have flashbacks and keep seeing the defendant coming towards me with the knife.'
Foley pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article.
The assault took place on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
Miss Jermin revealed that the defendant has 28 previous convictions for 50 offences.
They include assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2013, two counts of battery in 2021 and three counts of assault of an emergency worker in 2022.
Judge Shomon Khan asked Foley's lawyer Ed Mitchard: 'Why did he go there with the knife? That's the question.'
Mr Mitchard replied that his client was carrying it after being the victim of 'a serious assault'.
He added: 'The defendant didn't mean to use the knife – the first attack was with fists.'
Foley had worked as a roofer and relapsed into taking drugs after his partner left with their children.
'This was an argument muddled by the misuse of drugs and alcohol,' Mr Mitchard added.
'He is capable of change.'
The court heard how the defendant has been working with Dyfodol, a drug and alcohol intervention service for Welsh prisons.
Judge Khan told Foley: 'You punched your victim in the face twice leaving him dazed before taking a knife from your jacket.
'The producing of the knife is of real concern and your motive is unclear.'
He added: 'I do accept there is genuine remorse and I hope this is a turning point in your life.'
The defendant was jailed for four years and four months.
Foley was told he will have to serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.