MAN SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER THREATS IN MERTHYR TYDFIL
A man found guilty of attempted murder caused damage to his ex-partner's property and issued threats against her and her family.Rhys Lewis, aged 36, visited his former partner’s home on February 4 of the previous year, attempting to forcefully enter her property.
Later, he returned and hurled a heavy paving slab through her front window, resulting in damages estimated at £1,600.
During the court proceedings at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, it was revealed that the victim temporarily stayed with a friend following the incident.
However, Lewis later entered her kitchen and a scuffle broke out, in which he pushed her to the ground.
She also received frightening messages from Lewis, including threats to drive his car, soaked with petrol, into her mother’s house to end her entire family and to put her in his car boot and drive off a bridge.
The victim expressed her fear, stating, “I am very scared and believed Lewis would carry out these threats since he’s violent when drinking.
I live alone with my daughter and jump at every sound.
I don’t want to live like this anymore.
It is affecting my daily life.
I’m petrified to leave my home because I’m afraid I might see him.
I don’t stay there anymore because I don’t feel safe.” Lewis admitted to sending messages intended to cause distress, damaging property, threatening to damage property, and assaulting his victim.
His criminal record includes attempted murder, theft from a vehicle, assault causing actual bodily harm, burglary, criminal damage, and drug driving.
His legal representative highlighted his remorse and the effect of his actions on the victim.
The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to undertake 16 days of an approved programme, participate in a 20-day rehabilitation course, complete 100 hours of unpaid work, abstain from alcohol for 90 days, and pay £1,600 in compensation.
