RHYS BURGESS FROM BRECON SENTENCED FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND ANIMAL CRUELTY IN BRECON

Rhys Burgess, a resident of Coryton Close in Brecon, has been convicted of a series of serious criminal offenses related to domestic violence and animal cruelty. Born around 1992, Burgess's troubling history of abusive behavior culminated in a violent incident that involved both physical assault and the brutal treatment of a beloved family pet.

In a court hearing, Burgess admitted to six charges, including causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, specifically a rescue dog named Roxy. The incident involving the dog was particularly disturbing: Burgess picked up Roxy and forcefully threw her at a window, an act that left the animal visibly shocked but thankfully unharmed. The court heard that Burgess had previously threatened to kill Roxy as part of his campaign of terror against his ex-partner, Natasha Morgan, who owned the dog and was also a victim of his violence.

Details of the case reveal that Burgess's violent behavior extended beyond animal cruelty. He also admitted to intentionally strangling his ex-partner and unlawfully and maliciously wounding her 70-year-old father, who is terminally ill. During the incident, Burgess stole a mobile phone from his ex-partner and engaged in violent acts against her, including damaging various personal items such as her car's wing mirrors, a mobile phone, a fan, a laptop, a printer, a desk, earphones, Perspex windows, internal doors, and a lock mechanism. All these offenses are alleged to have occurred in Brecon on September 2.

Furthermore, Burgess pleaded guilty to engaging in controlling and coercive behavior over a period from August 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. His pattern of controlling conduct included incessant texting and calling, issuing threats to kill animals, family members, or himself if the relationship ended, and restricting her social interactions and the places she visited. Prosecutor Georgia Donohue explained that Burgess's relationship with the woman lasted for two years, initially positive but gradually turning toxic once he moved into her property in August 2021.

Ms. Donohue detailed the escalation of violence, starting with an assault in August 2021 where Burgess punched and strangled the woman, nearly causing her to lose consciousness. Another assault occurred in August 2022, during which Burgess headbutted her and threatened to kill her, her father, and her dog. The violence continued at the Brecon Jazz Festival that same month, when Burgess headbutted the woman outside the Bank pub following an argument and later assaulted her again in her garden after following her home.

The most recent and severe incident took place on September 2. According to the court, Burgess, in a highly agitated state after receiving a text message from his ex-partner, arrived at her property shouting and causing extensive damage. He pushed her across the kitchen, and her father attempted to intervene but was pushed, resulting in a head injury and heavy bleeding. Burgess then proceeded to smash an outhouse in the garden, disarmed her father who had picked up a chopping board, and forcibly threw Roxy at a window with full force. He also kicked a bathroom door, strangled the woman until she nearly fainted, and then threw her mobile phone across the road. As he left, Burgess ripped out the phone line and internet connection, and caused damage to her car's wing mirror.

His father, who is a father of two, spoke about Burgess's troubled history. Nick Strobl, acting on his behalf, acknowledged that Burgess is aware of his issues and has taken steps to address them while in custody, with the hope of becoming a better person upon release. The court noted Burgess's previous convictions, including a suspended sentence in 2013 for assault and harassment, another suspended sentence in 2018 for criminal damage and threatening behavior, and a 12-week prison sentence in 2019 for assaulting an ex-partner.

Judge David Harris highlighted the seriousness of Burgess's actions, emphasizing that the defendant's need for control and authority over others has led to escalating violence. The judge pointed out that Burgess has previously received a suspended jail sentence for similar offenses and that his use of strangulation as a form of punishment is particularly grave. The court sentenced Burgess to a total of three years and five months in prison, with an additional nine weeks served concurrently for animal cruelty. A five-year restraining order was also issued, prohibiting Burgess from contacting his ex-partner or her father.

In a related account published by Wales Online on November 27, 2022, Natasha Morgan recounted her and Roxy’s ordeal at the hands of Burgess. She described how Burgess, fully aware of her father’s terminal illness, went into a violent rage, smashing doors and windows, and targeting her dog in a terrifying attack. Natasha detailed how Burgess threw Roxy into a window, causing her to bounce off and appear terrified, before fleeing the scene. Fortunately, police found Roxy unharmed, but the incident left a lasting scar on the family and their beloved pet.