In a dramatic episode on Waunscil Avenue, Bridgend, Natalie Stephens, 37, caused chaos when she smashed through her flat window and attacked her neighbour with a hammer. After hearing a commotion, Martin Turner ventured out only to witness Stephens breaking her own window with a hammer. As Turner approached, Stephens, in a shocking turn, launched at him, striking him in the eye.
The attack, which unfolded on April 19, left Turner with significant injuries requiring hospital treatment. He endured blurred vision and a painful recovery, unable to fully open his eye for weeks. Following the incident, Stephens was spotted acting erratically in a nearby shop before being arrested.
During her sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, it emerged that Stephens had a troubled past, marked by substance misuse and mental health struggles. Her lawyer highlighted a history of deprivation, difficult upbringing, and previous exposure to domestic abuse. The court heard that her actions were influenced by a psychotic episode exacerbated by drug use.
Despite initially pleading not guilty, Stephens admitted to charges of criminal damage, possession of a weapon, and unlawful wounding. Recorder Dyfed Thomas acknowledged the seriousness of the attack but considered Stephens’ time already spent in custody, resulting in a sentence of an 18-month community order and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement.
This alarming incident sheds light on the harsh realities of how mental health and substance misuse can intertwine, leading to unpredictable and dangerous situations. It highlights the urgent need for support systems to help individuals struggling with such issues before they escalate to violence.