Tredegar thug fractured man's skull with baseball bat

South Wales Argus

08-05-2025

Thomas Morgan, 35, swung the weapon at Christopher Holly on his doorstep after turning up at his Tredegar home early on a Sunday morning to confront him.
The defendant carried out the 'revenge' attack after becoming jealous about Facebook messages his partner and the victim had shared.
After striking Mr Holly to the ground with a second blow, he called Mr Holly a 'rat' and shouted, 'I know where you live' before walking off.
Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, played mobile phone footage capturing the verbal abuse.
Newport Crown Court heard how the victim's brave 70-year-old mother Edwina Holly came between them at one point to protect her son.
She later told police "she couldn't believe what was happening in broad daylight".
Mr Holly was taken to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil where he was treated and released three days later.
As well as sustaining a fractured skull, he suffered from blurred vision, concussion and tinnitus.
The assault took place at around 7.30am on July 21.
'There was an element of revenge in this case,' Mr Gobir added.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Holly confessed that he now feels 'on edge' following the vicious assault.
Morgan, of Harford Street, Sirhowy, Tredegar pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in public.
The defendant has previous convictions but none for any offences of violence.
The last time he was before the court was in February 2021 for possession of ketamine.
Nigel Fryer representing Morgan said in mitigation that his client wanted to apologise to Mr Holly and was 'truly sorry'.
His barrister added: 'The complainant had messaged his partner inviting her out for a drink and a date.
'He was pushed to the edge. This is an offence that can be described as being out of character.'
Morgan, a father, was, he stressed, 'a pleasant and loving individual'.
Mr Fryer said: "This was a deeply unpleasant and deeply unfortunate incident."
Judge Carl Harrison told the defendant: 'There is no excuse for what you did that day.
'This offence was motivated by revenge.'
Morgan was jailed for three years and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge following his release from custody.