Milford Mercury | Local News, Sport & Entertainment

Thug trio jailed for 22 years

From the Milford Mercury, first published Thursday 21st Apr 2005.

THREE thugs have been jailed for a total of 22 years for a `vicious and brutal' attack on former boxer Rennie Edwards.

Mr Edwards, an ex featherweight champion, was left with two collapsed lungs, a brain haemorrhage and impaired memory after being beaten up and struck with a length of wood.

Gareth Edwards (31) and Edmund Quinn (30), both of North Court in Haverfordwest, and Tyrone Blair Evans (31) High Street, Haverfordwest, were jailed by Judge Gerald Price at Swansea crown court.

Quinn and Evans were convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and each received nine years. Edwards was convicted of a lesser charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and was jailed for four years.

Judge Price said the trio had created an aura of terror in the North Court area.

On October 2 last year first Evans and then Edwards attacked Mr Edwards, 37, who was forced to escape through a window.

All three followed him outside where Quinn joined in what the judge described as an `horrendous' assault.

"This was a vicious and brutal attack by three men onto one. It was an horrendous attack which continued outside on the pathway.

"He was shown no mercy, particularly by you Evans and Quinn. All three of you left him severely injured and made no attempt to get him help.

"You, Gareth Edwards, tried to stop the attack when it went too far. Even so, you were party to an attack during which you Evans and Quinn struck him repeatedly with a piece of wood.

"Mercifully, he was not killed or permanently injured.

"It was clear to me that there is an aura of fear and intimidation of you three that clearly has an effect in the North Court area. I intend to remove it.

"You are thugs, all three of you," said the judge.

All three men gave conflicting accounts to the jury and Judge Price said the real reason for the attack may never emerge "not that any of you three need a real reason."

During the trial the jury heard how all four men were chronic, heavy drinkers, who frequently drank from morning till night. Each had substantial criminal records and there were allegations they had attacked each other in the past.

On October 2 Mr Edwards turned up at North Court with four cans of Special Brew. He handed one to Quinn and one to Edwards but seemed reluctant to give one to Evans.

Evans was said to be already angry that Mr Edwards was going out with his old girlfriend, Nicola `Spoon' Jones.

Evans suddenly pushed forward a table, trapping Mr Edwards by the legs, and he and Edwards began the assault.

The jury were shown photographs of a blood splattered lounge and the window Mr Edwards crawled out of.

Quinn took over outside where both he and Evans used a piece of wood on Mr Edwards. At this stage Edwards appears to have become concerned and tried to prevent any further injuries.

In the days that followed each of the three told different people what they had done.

The violence continued even after their arrests. Quinn described Evans as `an aggressive nutter' who had attacked him in front of prison officers while the pair were on remand at Swansea jail awaiting trial. And the trio were separated by security officers in the dock of the court following more disturbances.

Judge Price told them he had a duty to protect the public.

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