A Cardiff man has been jailed after subjecting his former partner to a harrowing ordeal, trapping her inside a lift for hours while launching a series of brutal assaults, including using a bicycle as a weapon. The disturbing incident unfolded on 27 April this year, and the offender, 36-year-old Stephen Davies of the Hollybush Estate in Whitchurch, now faces a lengthy prison sentence following a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court.
The court heard how Davies lost his temper during an argument and rapidly turned violent towards his ex-partner. Over the course of more than two hours, he kept her confined inside a lift where he carried out repeated acts of aggression. Not only did he physically assault her, but he also used his bicycle to strike her while she was helplessly trapped. The attack’s violence continued as the defendant reportedly kicked and pulled his victim’s hair as she lay cowering on the floor.
In a chilling escalation, Davies is said to have issued a torrent of verbal threats, including promises to “shatter her face” and threats against her family, saying he would “take the years” and inflict further harm. The court was told that the victim’s phone was destroyed during the incident, effectively isolating her from any chance of summoning help while the terrifying episode unfolded.
Once the victim managed to escape from the confines of the lift, Davies continued his pursuit. He is reported to have mounted his bicycle and deliberately ridden into her, keeping up his campaign of intimidation and assault even as she fled to a public area. Police were called to the scene, and Davies was subsequently arrested.
During proceedings, CCTV footage from the building was played, highlighting the sustained cruelty of the attack. The footage presented in court showed Davies repeatedly striking his victim with the bicycle, pulling at her hair, and launching kicks—all while she remained curled up in fear on the lift floor. These distressing images left a profound impact on the court.
Passing sentence, Judge Eugene Egan noted the traumatic effect of the attack on the victim, emphasising that she had been “in fear and distress” throughout the incident, which he described as clear “bullying behaviour”. The judge commented that the very fact the attack occurred in the confined space of a lift made it a particularly horrifying experience for the victim, and stated that being “penned in” must have left her feeling completely powerless.
Davies, who has a lengthy track record with law enforcement, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court was informed he holds 16 previous convictions for violent and related offences, including previous assaults, criminal damage, and attacking emergency service workers. This record, alongside the severity of his current offences, was central to the judge’s sentencing decision.
The judge sentenced Davies to three years’ imprisonment, reflecting both the gravity and the persistent nature of his violent conduct. The court expressed hope that this would serve as a deterrent and reinforce the message that domestic violence, in whatever form it takes, will be met with the severest legal consequences.
The victim, whose identity is protected for her safety, is reportedly receiving ongoing support. Community organisations continue to campaign for better protection and support for survivors of domestic violence, emphasising the need for vigilance and robust intervention when such cases arise.
This case stands as yet another stark reminder of the dangers faced by those subjected to intimate partner violence, and highlights both the legal system’s capacity to deal harshly with offenders and the ongoing need for progress in safeguarding vulnerable individuals in society.