A man from Neath has been sentenced to prison after a violent and disturbing attack on his former partner, during which he assaulted her, damaged property, and engaged in erratic and threatening behaviour. Cameron Gladwin, aged 28, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where details of the incident were laid bare, prompting the presiding judge to publicly remark on what he described as a growing epidemic of domestic violence.
The court heard that Gladwin’s relationship with his ex-partner had ended in August of the previous year, but the pair still had ongoing, sporadic contact in the months that followed. Events escalated dramatically earlier this year, following the defendant’s discovery that his former partner had started a new romantic relationship. Feeling “angry and betrayed,” Gladwin reacted with what the judge called a total loss of control.
On the morning of 3 February, the victim—whose identity has not been disclosed—was staying with a friend when she was awoken by a barrage of phone calls from Gladwin, during which he reportedly shouted death threats and threatened violence towards the man she was seeing. Later that day, when the woman returned to her Waunceirch home, she was confronted by Gladwin who was already inside the property.
Attempting to leave, the woman was grabbed from behind, with Gladwin putting his arms around her neck and dragging her backwards. He seized her phone and threw it across the room to prevent her from calling for help. The victim managed to flee upstairs, but Gladwin pursued her, cornering her in a bedroom where he pushed her onto a bed and smothered her face into a pillow. During this terrifying ordeal she recalled hearing a sudden ‘popping’ sound in her ear.
The situation momentarily de-escalated when she managed to talk him down, but the terror was far from over. Not long after, she heard Gladwin in the kitchen going through the cutlery drawer. Upon investigating, she discovered him holding a knife to his own throat, further escalating the already perilous confrontation. When the victim tried to escape, Gladwin tackled her onto the sofa, then, with a further display of violence, headbutted her television set, kicked a door off its hinges, and threw a bag of cocaine at her. He instructed her to film him as he proceeded to take the drugs, a display the court described as reckless and deeply troubling.
Eventually, the victim managed to flee and sought refuge with a friend, from where she contacted the police. Gladwin was soon apprehended. During his police interview, he admitted to consuming both alcohol and cocaine during a night out in Swansea and expressed having acted out of anger due to feelings of betrayal.
An impact statement read to the court highlighted the deep psychological toll the incident had taken on the victim, stating her mental health had suffered significantly but crediting her children for being a source of strength in her recovery.
Gladwin, of Pentre Fedwen, Cimla, had already admitted to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage. Charges including stalking, false imprisonment, and strangulation were not pursued further due to lack of sufficient evidence. It was also noted that Gladwin had no prior convictions.
Defence counsel Hywel Davies told the court that Gladwin was deeply remorseful and described his actions as entirely out of character. He explained that Gladwin’s time in custody, following his remand in February, had been especially difficult for his family due to the presence of a seriously ill relative.
Sentencing, Judge Geraint Walters lamented the widespread nature of domestic violence, linking growing societal disregard for obligations to a wider cultural climate and what he viewed as poor political leadership. He told Gladwin he had behaved as though the law did not apply to him, describing his actions as akin to treating the victim “like a rag doll.”
With credit given for his guilty plea, Gladwin received a 12-month custodial sentence. It was ordered that he will serve up to half of the term in prison before being released on licence.
This distressing case once again highlights both the prevalence and devastating impact of domestic abuse. Those affected by such issues in Wales can access the Live Fear Free helpline for confidential support any time, or contact charities such as Refuge.
Support is available 24 hours a day for anyone in need, underscoring the importance of reaching out and ensuring no one suffers in silence.