A teenager’s simple trip to a local fish and chip shop in Porth turned into a scene of chaos and fear last October, after she returned to find her car being severely vandalised by a crack cocaine addict wielding a metal bar. The young woman, who was just 18 at the time, was left shocked and distressed by the incident, which has since led to a criminal conviction and custodial sentence for the attacker.
The episode unfolded on Hannah Street, Porth, on 10 October. The victim had parked her silver Ford Fiesta while she popped into Queens Fish Bar to collect her food. Moments later, as she returned to her vehicle, she was startled by the sudden sound of glass shattering. Turning quickly, she witnessed a woman, later identified as 44-year-old Rebecca Vaughan, emerging from a nearby lane, aggressively smashing the rear window of her car with a metal bar.
Fearing for her safety and unsure of the reason for the assault, the teenager acted instinctively—climbing into the driver’s seat and quickly manoeuvring her car up the street. Once she felt at a safer distance, she stepped out to photograph her attacker, a crucial action that later helped police to identify and prosecute Vaughan.
Eyewitness reports describe Vaughan as visibly agitated, shouting and pointing towards the teenage victim even after her family had arrived on the scene. The ordeal left the young woman “terrified”, uncertain as to why she had been targeted. Notably, she had no previous connection or dealings with the assailant.
Officers from South Wales Police soon arrived on scene and swiftly apprehended Vaughan. She complied with their instructions, placing her metal bar on the ground and dropping to her knees, hands raised. Police noted that Vaughan exhibited clear signs of intoxication—her speech was slurred, her eyes glazed, she was unsteady on her feet and had visible, dried blood on her hands. A search subsequently uncovered a small quantity of cannabis in her possession.
It later emerged in court that the total cost to repair the damage inflicted on the Ford Fiesta amounted to £454, a significant financial burden for the young owner. Speaking during sentencing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, the victim expressed her fright and ongoing distress following the attack, adding that she still did not understand what had motivated Vaughan’s actions.
Rebecca Vaughan, whose address was listed as the Three Saints Hotel in Llantrisant, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, criminal damage and possession of a class B drug. Further scrutiny of her background painted a troubling picture: Vaughan had accumulated a staggering 82 previous convictions, ranging from further criminal damage and matters of dishonesty, to cases of public disorder, battery, drug offences and threatening behaviour.
Representing Vaughan in court, defence solicitor Sophie Keegan described her client as experiencing a sharp mental health decline, exacerbated by long-term drug addiction and an unstable, troubled upbringing. Keegan explained Vaughan had a history of moving in and out of care, with family issues contributing to her dependence on crack cocaine and subsequent paranoia.
Presiding over the case, Judge Jeremy Jenkins determined that the seriousness of the attack warranted a custodial sentence. Vaughan was handed a nine-month prison term, though time already spent on remand would be deducted from this period.
This distressing incident has reignited concerns locally about the impact of addiction and untreated mental health problems on both individuals and communities. Meanwhile, the teenager involved continues to recover from her frightening experience, and the wider community has expressed its hope that steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents in future.