OFFENDER RICHARD BALATAY SENTENCED IN CARDIFF FOR CRUELTY AND BURNING HIS DAUGHTER
In January 2019, a Cardiff court sentenced Richard Balatay for a vicious act of cruelty towards his daughter, Chelsea.Balatay, a man with a military background responsible for discipline, deliberately burned his daughter's arms with a hot iron after she intervened to protect her mother from his abuse.
Judge Daniel Williams described Balatay’s actions as “sadistic in its cruelty” during the sentencing at Newport Crown Court.
The prosecution, led by Andrew Kendall, explained that the incident occurred on June 30 of the previous year at the family’s home in Coed-y-Gores, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, as the family was preparing for church.
The court learned that a dispute over ironing a shirt escalated when Balatay, angry about perceived disrespect from his wife, Rachel, and daughter, Chelsea, became aggressive.
Judge Williams noted, “That is all it took for you to become aggressive and begin shouting at your wife.” The court was shown footage of the tense confrontation, where Mrs.
Balatay was reportedly cowering out of fear as her husband aimed the iron at her face, prompting Chelsea to rush to her mother's aid.
During the trial, Chelsea testified that she acted out of fear for her mother’s safety, stating, “I did this as I did not want my father to hurt my mother.
I would prefer him to hurt me.” The judge pointed out that Balatay had deliberately unplugged the iron, fully aware that it was extremely hot, and held it against Chelsea's left forearm.
When she did not comply, he pressed it longer on her right arm.
The judge described Chelsea's pain as gradual and horrific, noting she left the room followed by her mother, horrified at the burns.
When Mrs.
Balatay questioned her husband about his actions, he responded bluntly, “I can do what I want.” The injuries became so agonizing that Chelsea decided to inform the police despite her fear that her complaint might not be taken seriously.
She was determined not to leave her mother alone with Balatay when she later went to university.
Balatay’s history of violence was also discussed.
The court heard that over many years, he had physically abused Chelsea with a belt, broom handle, hammer, and his bare hands.
He also threatened to harm his wife by pouring hot water over her and setting the house on fire with petrol.
Both women appeared visibly shaken during their testimonies, and the court was told they were “terrified of you.” Although Balatay, 50, denied cruelty towards his daughter during childhood and accusations of grievous bodily harm, the jury found him guilty after a trial, rejecting his account.
Judge Williams criticized his self-righteous portrayal, saying, “With odious self-righteousness, you sought to portray yourself as a holy man whose virtues were wrongly portrayed by those close to you as vices.” The court revealed that Balatay’s only prior conviction was for drink driving in 2006.
He stated that he and his wife had been married for 20 years, moved to the UK in 2003, and he became a British citizen four years later.
Born in the Philippines and raised by an authoritarian uncle, Balatay served in the military, responsible for discipline, which may have influenced his cultural view of household authority.
During sentencing, the probation officer noted that Balatay, now aware of his “anger issues,” was surprised when his daughter reported him to the police.
His legal representative, Hilary Roberts, acknowledged that he recognized his outdated attitudes, saying, “He realises his attitudes are outmoded and out of place in this country.” Judge Williams sentenced Balatay to 12 years extended imprisonment, requiring him to serve at least two-thirds of an eight-year sentence before being considered for parole.
He will also serve a four-year license period and was subjected to an indefinite restraining order prohibiting contact with his victims.
