### Boxer Jailed After Vicious Assault in Swansea Bar: No Remorse Shown for Attack
A promising young boxer from Swansea has been sentenced to three years in prison after carrying out two violent assaults, one of which left a keen footballer with life-changing injuries. The attacks, widely condemned for their ruthlessness, culminated in the defendant boasting about his actions online, showing a disturbing lack of remorse for those affected.
Korben Crocker, aged 23, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing after separate trials found him guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm during a bar attack, and subsequently assaulting a former partner. The judge, in a scathing summary, described Crocker’s behaviour as “remorseless” and criticised his reaction to footage of the attack, which he labelled “appalling”.
The court heard that the first incident took place in the early hours of 31 March last year at Bambu bar, situated in Swansea city centre’s bustling Wind Street. Prosecutor Regan Walters detailed how the assault arose from a confrontation involving Crocker and the partner of his eventual victim. Crocker, who had reportedly made repeated advances towards the woman earlier that evening, became “aggressive” upon rejection. The situation escalated when the footballer addressed Crocker about his behaviour, leading to a violent onslaught. Crocker punched the man repeatedly in the face, resulting in both men being removed from the premises.
The fallout from the attack was severe. The victim was later admitted to Morriston Hospital, where an X-ray revealed a fractured jaw. He required reconstructive surgery and had a metal plate fitted to his face. In a victim impact statement read to the court, the man described a profound shift in his day-to-day life; he struggled to sleep, had become socially withdrawn, and was left with a lasting weakness that made it impossible to play football as he once had. “Football was taken away from me,” he said, underscoring the emotional and physical ramifications of the assault.
More disturbing was Crocker’s reaction to the incident. Whilst on bail pending further investigation, police examining his mobile phone found that footage of the attack had been shared in a Snapchat group. Crocker replied to the video, “That’s f****** class”, and when referred to as a “f****** animal”, responded gleefully, “Ha ha I f****** am.” This digital evidence was pivotal in demonstrating his complete lack of empathy for the victim’s suffering.
Before the court could conclude proceedings on the first offence, Crocker was arrested for a second violent incident, this time targeting a former partner. The court was told that after offering her a lift home in October, Crocker made unwelcome comments and, following her refusal to resume their relationship, assaulted her by biting her on the lips. She managed to flee when a neighbour arrived. Medical staff treated her for bruises and bite marks, and she has since reported enduring night terrors and a deepened mistrust of others.
During sentencing, Judge Geraint Walters highlighted the gravity of Crocker’s offences, especially in light of his professional boxing background. The judge remarked that Crocker was “affronted” by being challenged in the bar, reacting with overwhelming and disproportionate violence. Furthermore, the brutality of his actions was compounded by his online glorification of the attack and his subsequent assault while on bail, which the judge described as attacking a “petite, defenceless” woman.
Although Crocker’s defence claimed he was a changed man and had been using his time in custody to improve himself, the judge found little to support these assertions. It was noted that Crocker has been diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and was receiving medication for this condition.
As a result, Crocker received a three-year custodial sentence. In accordance with current guidelines, this means he will serve up to half the sentence in prison before being released on licence for the remainder. He was also issued with a restraining order, prohibiting contact with his ex-partner for a decade.
Victims and those affected by similar incidents are encouraged to seek support from various national organisations, several of which offer helplines and counselling services for survivors of abuse and violence.
This case has stirred concern within the local community, with many expressing alarm at the apparent casualness of violent behaviour and the crucial role online platforms can play in perpetuating a culture of aggression. The judge’s remarks underline the expectation that public figures, including athletes and boxers, are held to a higher standard precisely because of the responsibility that comes with their training and profile.
The severity of the sentence reflects the judiciary’s intent to send a clear message: violent assaults, particularly those aggravated by lack of remorse, will not be tolerated in society.