A Brynmawr resident has been sentenced to four years and four months behind bars after launching a violent knife attack on a friend whom he had socialised with just hours prior. Cardiff Crown Court heard disturbing details of how Anthony Foley, aged 35, turned on his associate, Ciaran Smith, in a harrowing incident that has left long-term consequences for the victim.
The court was told that the events unfolded in the early hours of 21 November 2024. Mr Smith, recuperating at home after an evening at the local pub, was jolted awake by the unexpected sound of his front door being opened. Upon rousing, he saw Foley entering his residence—a flat which was not securely locked, according to subsequent court disclosures.
Proceedings revealed that the intrusion quickly escalated into violence. Foley struck Mr Smith with two punches to the left side of his face before brandishing a knife. In a frightening exchange, Foley attempted to stab Mr Smith twice in the arm, with the second attempt inflicting a wound deep enough to fracture the victim’s forearm.
When Foley found himself unable to immediately exit the property, the level of threat increased further. He menaced Mr Smith with talk of using the knife on his neck unless the door was opened. These actions prompted the victim, in the aftermath, to seek urgent help from a nearby shop before presenting himself at hospital for treatment.
Medical staff found that Mr Smith had sustained two wounds to his left forearm and a fracture that ultimately had to be stabilised in a cast. The injuries also left him temporarily unable to straighten his fingers, marking a significant impact on his day-to-day living.
The court also heard a victim impact statement, which was read aloud by prosecution. Mr Smith detailed the profound psychological ramifications of the incident, sharing that his mental health had suffered acutely since the ordeal. He recounted persistent flashbacks and distress at the thought of the attack’s potential outcome, especially considering the worry it had caused his family. The visible scars, he said, now compelled him to wear long sleeves and left him self-conscious and struggling to maintain relationships.
On behalf of Foley, Defence Counsel Edward Mitchard indicated that the altercation arose out of a “drug and alcohol-fuelled argument,” and that his client had not forced his way into the flat, as some of his belongings had been left there the night before. Mitchard further suggested Foley had carried the knife for personal protection following a previous violent incident alleged against him years earlier.
Nevertheless, the court was alerted to Foley’s extensive criminal record, which included 28 previous convictions relating to 50 offences—among them convictions for violence and assaulting emergency workers. Judge Shomon Khan emphasised the gravity of attacking someone in their own home, pointing out that Mr Smith “was supposed to feel safe” in his place of residence.
Foley admitted to wounding inflicting grievous bodily harm, section 18 wounding, and possession of a bladed article. In addition to his custodial sentence, he received a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting Mr Smith. Summing up, the judge expressed hope that this experience might mark a turning point in Foley’s life, underscoring the incident’s seriousness while acknowledging the potential for rehabilitation.
This case shines a light on the enduring effects that violent acts have on victims—not only in terms of physical injury but also in lasting psychological harm. The events have also brought into sharp focus the challenges faced by individuals with complex personal histories of trauma, substance abuse, and offending. As the Brynmawr community responds to this distressing episode, the courts have reaffirmed their commitment to justice and public safety, while recognising the complexities surrounding those who come before them.