Man kicked victim 15 times in Welshpool Angel pub attack

Jeremy Trow, 48, was handed a suspended prison sentence at Mold Crown Court on Thursday, September 5, after admitting inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent on David Owen in the Angel pub, in Welshpool, in March 2023.

The attack saw Trow, of Leighton View, Welshpool, punch his victim from behind, before kicking him 15 times while he lay unconscious on the floor, leaving him with a fractured ankle.

Trow had originally been charged with the more serious charge of inflicting GBH with intent, but entered a guilty plea to the alternative charge in July.

Prosecutor Richard Edwards said Mr Owen became aware of the defendant staring at him after he entered the Berriew Street pub on March 11, 2023.

“David Owen went to the Angel with a friend at around 9.45pm,” said Mr Edwards.

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“The defendant, unknown to them, was already there. They ordered a drink and Mr Owen became aware of the defendant staring at him intently.

“He ignored it initially, then after a while said to him ‘Smile, will you’. His next recollection is being struck from behind and he lost consciousness.

“When he regained consciousness he was being assisted by staff and the police were in attendance.

“He had a bloody nose and his ankle was twisted, it had clearly been broken.

“CCTV shows the defendant approach Mr Owen and strike him to the right side of the face, causing Mr Owen to immediately fall to the floor.

“The defendant then kicked him 15 times before staff intervened.”

Trow, a father of three, remained as the scene and was arrested. Mr Edwards said: “In interview the defendant said David Owen had been goading him and that it was self-defence, then he said it wasn’t really.

“He said he was sorry and had been struggling with his mental health. He said he’d drunk seven or eight pints and was 6/10 on the drunk scale.

“He said the victim had been aggressive and threatening and that he was a decent guy.”

In a victim impact statement Mr Owen said he suffers regular flashbacks and became reliant on his parents for support after the attack, as he lived in a fourth floor flat with no lift access. He was also unable to carry on his work.

“Social events make him fearful and he is scared life will never be the same," Mr Edwards said.

He said Trow had three previous offences dating back to 2005, including assault.

Rosemary Proctor, defending him, said it had always been her client’s intention to plead guilty.

“The assessment of the pre-sentence report author is he is genuinely remorseful, backed up by his actions taken in the last 18 months.

“He has abstained from alcohol. There was a candid admission he’d drunk 13 pints of lager. He has faced up to his problematic relationship with alcohol and referred himself to (drug/alcohol charity) Kaleidoscope, which is heartening.

“He is a hard worker and a good father. His current employer speaks highly of him. His ex-partner, with whom he has an 18-year-old son, speaks highly of him.

“He has two younger children and prison would have an impact on them. After offending in his 20s he had got his life back on track, only to make the same mistake again.

“There is a sense of horror he might have thrown away everything he’s built, but also a determination to make sure it never happens again.”

Judge Nicola Saffman jailed Trow for eight months – but suspended it for 12 months.

He will be excluded from licensed premises for eight months and she ordered him to pay his victim £3,500 in compensation. He must also pay a £154 court surcharge.