**Man Jailed After Violent Assault on Son at Family Gathering in Swansea**
A father from Swansea has been sentenced to prison after a brutal incident in which he assaulted and bit his son during what was supposed to be a family meal. The distressing sequence of events, which unfolded at a house in Llansamlet, saw 58-year-old Anthony O’Connell inflicting both physical and psychological harm on his son, continuing a pattern of domestic violence with previous convictions against other family members.
The attack took place in May of the previous year when O’Connell visited his son’s home to share a meal, having brought and cooked steaks for the occasion. Although the gathering initially seemed a typical family affair, the mood changed dramatically following a conversation in a bedroom. According to evidence presented to Swansea Crown Court, O’Connell, who claimed to have abstained from alcohol while his son did not, provoked a confrontation after referencing his own relationship with his father, uttering, “Do you know why I used to hate my father? Because he was a f****** p***head.” This preceded a sudden and violent attack.
During the incident, O’Connell reportedly rained down punches upon his son’s face before restraining him and biting into his nose. After his son managed to break free, the defendant escalated matters by assaulting him further with a walking stick. The victim, who has known mobility challenges, was able to escape and sought sanctuary at a neighbour’s property, subsequently contacting police regarding the assault.
In a victim impact statement submitted to the court, O’Connell’s son described struggling with lasting trauma, including a deeply held belief, instilled by his father, that domestic violence should be considered normal behaviour. He told the court that he is no longer in contact with his father and has been left to confront difficult emotions and fractured family bonds as a result of the attack.
O’Connell, previously residing on Gelli Fawr Road in Morriston and currently of no fixed address, admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Despite requesting to withdraw this plea during sentencing, his application was refused by the judge. O’Connell, who spoke for himself in court, insisted, “I promise I didn’t do it,” but this statement did not persuade the court to reconsider.
The court also heard that O’Connell has an extensive criminal record, including a 2017 conviction for wounding with intent—an offence that involved a violent incident where he bit his brother. In 2021, he was convicted of battery against his daughter. Beyond the family home, O’Connell’s history of aggression recently included a violent robbery in Swansea city centre, which occurred shortly after the assault on his son. In that case, he and another man attacked a stranger, with O’Connell using his walking stick as a weapon. For the robbery, he is currently serving a six-and-a-half-year extended sentence, classified as a dangerous offender.
Judge Huw Rees, presiding over the case, noted that what started as a convivial family visit spiralled into what he described as an “irrational and prolonged assault” involving several forms of violence. The judge suggested that O’Connell’s attempt to withdraw his guilty plea may have been motivated by shame. He was adamant, however, that O’Connell’s actions demonstrated a clear and concerning tendency toward violent behaviour, particularly against vulnerable individuals.
Taking into account O’Connell’s guilty plea—though fully discounting any attempt at mitigation—the court imposed a 28-month custodial sentence. This will run concurrently with his current extended sentence for robbery.
The case shines a spotlight on the ongoing issue of domestic violence in Wales and the complexities associated with family-based abuse. It also demonstrates how cycles of violence can persist, often leaving victims struggling with emotional and psychological repercussions long after the physical wounds have healed.
For those affected by domestic violence and in need of support, services such as the Live Fear Free helpline and the Refuge charity offer confidential assistance around the clock, helping victims and their families find safety and advice.