### Expectant Father Intervenes in Road Dispute, Assaults Van Passenger and Police Officer Outside Cardiff Station
A heated dispute outside Cardiff Central police station escalated dramatically when a man intervened after his pregnant wife became involved in an altercation with several van occupants, resulting in violence that saw him assault a van passenger and a police officer.
Corey Chugg, a 28-year-old scrapyard worker from Ynysybwl, Rhondda Cynon Taf, found himself before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court following an incident that unfolded on King Edward VII Avenue on 28 August last year. Chugg admitted to causing actual bodily harm (ABH) to one of the van’s passengers but denied claims that he assaulted a responding police officer, PC Evans.
Testimony in court revealed that Chugg was on his way home after work when he received a distressing call from his partner. She was visibly upset and explained that a van had allegedly cut her off and nearly caused a collision. According to Chugg, during the call – which came through his car’s Bluetooth – he could clearly hear raised voices and aggressive language directed at his wife, who was not only pregnant at the time but also had their two dogs with her in the car.
“My partner was very upset because she was being sworn at and followed. I went there just to stop them from intimidating her,” Chugg told the court, outlining his motivation for intervening. He added that while he had intended to confront the men in the van, he had not planned a peaceful exchange.
Upon arriving in his blue Ford Fiesta, Chugg reportedly approached the van with the intention of confronting its occupants. However, events rapidly escalated. As he opened the van’s door, Chugg claims he was spat at by the passenger, Samuel Turato. “There’s no justifying it but I did jump across and assault him,” Chugg acknowledged during the trial. CCTV footage presented in court depicted the van rocking as Chugg climbed inside and delivered a series of punches to Mr Turato, who later sustained several bumps to the head and a cut on his ear.
Chugg’s account continued with him attempting to approach the van’s driver, as he believed the driver had issued the most threats towards his partner. At this point, police officers intervened, with PC Evans approaching Chugg in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. According to Chugg, he brushed the officer’s hand off his arm, insisting he did not show aggression or intend harm. However, the prosecution maintained that the forceful movement of his arm was reckless, resulting in a mark to PC Evans’ hand.
Shortly after, additional police units arrived and Chugg was arrested without further incident. Representing himself, Chugg told the court he would have complied if the officer had informed him he was being arrested. The incident, though charged with understandable emotions, led to Chugg facing serious legal consequences.
District Judge Rhys Williams summarised that Chugg’s anger was clear and that his violent reaction inside the van, coupled with aggressively pushing away the police officer’s arm, constituted unlawful and reckless behaviour. “You assaulted the passenger in the van, you were violent and aggressive, and you should have expected the police would want to speak to you,” stated Judge Williams during sentencing.
It was also revealed in court that Chugg has a previous ABH conviction from 2017 and a prior caution for battery from 2013. Chugg, who now supports his family as the sole breadwinner with a weekly income of approximately £450, said the burden of his family’s £1,200 monthly mortgage weighs heavily, particularly since his partner had now given birth.
In sentencing, the court ordered Chugg to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work and pay a total of £439 in costs and compensation, including £75 to Mr Turato, £50 to PC Evans, £200 in prosecution costs, and a victim services surcharge of £114.
The case highlights the far-reaching consequences that a moment of anger and impulsive action during a highly stressful incident can have. While it is not uncommon for people to want to defend loved ones in distressing situations, this story serves as a potent reminder of the importance of allowing authorities to intervene, rather than taking the law into one’s own hands.