### Man Jailed After Brutal Assault on Friend Driven by False Rumours
A man from Wales has been sentenced to an extended prison term following a violent and prolonged attack on a friend, which was fuelled by unsubstantiated rumours. The ordeal, described in court as “merciless” and “savage”, left the victim severely injured and deeply traumatised.
Kyle Thomas, 35, of no fixed address, appeared via video link at Swansea Crown Court where he admitted to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, criminal damage, and theft in relation to the incident. Judge Huw Rees, presiding over the case, condemned Thomas’s actions as both degrading and brutal, and noted the lasting psychological harm caused to the victim.
The court heard that the assault took place on the night of 29 November last year, after Thomas and the victim had been socialising at the victim’s flat in Brynamman, Carmarthenshire. Prosecutor Tom Scapens told the court it was likely that the pair had consumed both alcohol and drugs during the evening. At some point, Thomas confronted his friend with allegations he had heard from others but for which there was no supporting evidence.
After initially attempting to challenge the rumours at a local pub, the two men returned to the flat. However, Thomas refused to drop the subject, repeatedly referencing the accusations. The situation escalated dramatically when Thomas began a violent assault on his friend, hitting him repeatedly with his fists before turning to a weight-training bar. He then attempted to harm the man’s knees with a hammer, allegedly trying to break them, and proceeded to attack him with a large knife, threatening to mutilate him.
The horrifying ordeal did not stop there. Thomas further degraded his victim by pouring bleach over him, and at one point tried to slash his wrists, according to evidence presented in court. Several neighbours recorded the sounds of the attack from the corridor, and these recordings, which reportedly lasted around eight minutes, were cited as evidence of the relentless nature of the assault.
After the assault, Thomas smashed up the flat, stole the victim’s mobile phone, cash, and a vacuum cleaner before fleeing the scene. The victim, bleeding and terrified, was unable to seek help immediately due to the theft of his phone and the fear of further retaliation. Hours later, a concerned mutual friend, prompted by alarming messages from Thomas, forced her way into the blood-soaked flat and discovered the injured man trapped under a sofa. She cared for him for several days after he refused medical attention, fearing retribution.
Eventually, the victim disclosed the events to his mother, who alerted the authorities. Thomas was subsequently arrested. Upon apprehension, he reportedly told police that his life motto was “Hit first, ask questions later”—an attitude seemingly reflected in his previous convictions for violence, including offences against family members and a prior grievous bodily harm charge for which he had served an extended custodial sentence.
Medical examination revealed the victim had suffered multiple traumatic injuries: severe facial swelling, bleeding and bruising affecting both eyes, a fractured nose, internal bleeding on the brain, a blood clot in his ear, and numerous cuts and abrasions. In an impact statement, the victim expressed his fear that Thomas intended to kill him, describing the hours spent drifting in and out of consciousness as “terrifying.” He said he has been left emotionally shattered, socially withdrawn, and anxious about remaining in his home area.
Thomas’s defence counsel, Andrew Evans, acknowledged his client’s long-standing issues with addiction and mental health, which he attributed in part to childhood trauma. Evans stated Thomas now recognised the need for support if he was to turn his life around.
Delivering sentence, Judge Rees handed Thomas an extended sentence totalling eight years and five months, with a minimum of two-thirds to be served before parole eligibility. In addition, a 15-year restraining order was imposed, prohibiting any contact with the victim or social media posts referencing him.
This case has once again highlighted the devastating consequences of violence driven by baseless allegations, as well as the challenges faced by victims in seeking justice and recovery.