A family feud spiralled into chaos at the Shirenewton caravan site in Cardiff, involving axe-wielding and cars crashing into one another. Dominic Janes, 18, found himself at the heart of the storm, reportedly as part of a “revenge attack.” On that fateful November night, Michael O’Brien thought it was just another evening watching TV in bed until he was rudely interrupted by the sound of smashing glass.
Outside, Janes and others were causing a ruckus, with Janes allegedly threatening, “I’m going to kill you stone dead” while brandishing an axe. Vehicles were driven at Mr O’Brien’s parked cars, leaving significant damage, and the chaos didn’t stop there—his mother sustained ankle injuries amid the melee.
CCTV later caught more drama at a shop with Janes and his brother Tommy-Joe showcasing more heated exchanges, weapons in hand. The assault left everyone on edge, especially Michael O’Brien, who feared for his family’s safety, citing a longstanding rivalry with the Janes family.
At Cardiff Crown Court, the Janes brothers admitted to affray, with Dominic also pleading guilty to possessing an offensive weapon. Despite actions that could have escalated further, there might yet be hope, as the court recognised a “positive prospect of rehabilitation” for Tommy-Joe.
Dominic Janes will spend 14 months in a young offenders institute, while Tommy-Joe received a year-long detention, suspended for 18 months, alongside community service. As they serve their sentences, many are left hoping peace will return and rivalries will cool, allowing families in the community to feel safe once more.