Echoes of the Dundee hoohah a couple of years ago, but at least no one died here, and no sign of any drivers getting caught up in it all.
'Large disturbance' in Neath town centre as violence erupts at taxi rankhttps://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wale ... h-19585482One person was knocked unconscious and another needed surgery for a smashed eye socket as a result of the mass brawlNeath town centre descended into a mass brawl seemingly sparked by a group of men trying to jump the queue for a taxi, a court has heard.
The "large disturbance" saw more and more people getting involved with punches being thrown, kicks delivered, and threats made.
Three people have found themselves in the dock for their parts in the incident but the court heard there could have been "many more" beside them facing justice.
Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court the brawl took place on the night of April 28, 2019, on The Parade in Neath town centre.
He said the catalyst for the incident seemed to be three unknown men who pushed their way into the queue of people waiting for taxis. When Scott Albert Williams objected to what they were doing the trio "turned on him" and assaulted him.
The court heard "matters quickly escalated" with fights and arguments breaking out among the large number of people gathered in the area. Mr Rees characterised the incident as a "large disturbance".
In the melee Williams' partner, Angharad Louise Huxley, became involved in an argument and fight with Kristyn Brown, which saw Brown repeatedly kicking her victim. When Williams saw what was happening to his partner – who had given birth just days before – he intervened.
The prosecutor said Williams walked up to the women and delivered a single "very hard kick" to Brown's face as she lay on the floor. Williams was himself then attacked by unknown people and knocked over, hitting his head on the pavement and losing consciousness.
The court heard Brown suffered a broken nose, a broken tooth, and multiple fractures to her eye socket which required surgery and the insertion of a plate and screws to repair the damage. Williams suffered a cut to the back of his head which was glued in hospital.
Brown, of Valley View, Cimla, Neath, was convicted at trial of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) while Williams, of Heol Awstin, Ravenhill, Swansea, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and a public order offence. His partner Huxley, of the same address, pleaded guilty to a public order offence.
The court heard Brown has a previous conviction for ABH committed when she was a youth while Williams has no previous convictions and Huxley has a previous conviction for battery.
Dyfed Thomas, for Brown, said it was accepted the defendant had assaulted Huxley but said she herself was also a victim who had suffered "very unpleasant injuries" in the incident. He said the mother-of-two had worked as a carer but had since resigned.
Mr Thomas added: "Nobody comes away from this incident with any credit. There could have been many more people in the dock rather than just these three."
David Singh, for Williams, said the defendant had had genuine concerns for what was happening to his partner during the incident but it was accepted he had then acted "wholly disproportionately" in kicking the person attacking her and was remorseful for his actions. He too said his client had resigned from his job as a result of the prosecution.
Giles Hayes, for Huxley, said his client had been assaulted on four separate occasions during the disturbance, including being kicked by an unknown man and being shoulder-charged by another.
He said the part-time Admiral Insurance worker was a mother-of-one and was 20 weeks pregnant with a second child. The advocate added his client and her partner Williams "have no intention of ever going back to Neath again".
Judge Catherine Richards told the trio that each of them had contributed to the "appalling scenes" seen on the night in question.
She said it was clear from what she had read that each was a hardworking and committed parent and the incident shows what happens when "decent people lose control in a state of drink".
Brown was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for 12 months, Williams was sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for 18 months and was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, and Huxley was fined £250.