In a disturbing incident in Holyhead, Wales, a 75-year-old pensioner fell victim to a brutal attack after opening his door to a thug. The attacker, Jason Owen, aged 36, unleashed a “vicious” assault on the elderly man, leaving him with severe injuries. Owen, a resident of Llaingoch, Holyhead, admitted to the charges of wounding the victim during the incident, which occurred in January. Following the assault, Owen was sentenced to two years and three months in prison for grievous bodily harm.
The Tan-y-Foel estate in Holyhead was rattled by Owen’s alarming behaviour on the evening of January 9. Witnesses reported seeing Owen in an apparent state of intoxication, as he banged on doors and caused a disturbance. When Nicola Jones opened her door, Owen forced his way inside, displaying signs of being under the influence with glazed eyes and bottles of alcohol in hand. Though Jones managed to remove Owen from her property, he returned ten minutes later, prompting her to contact the police regarding his erratic behaviour.
Subsequently, Owen directed his aggression towards Richard Roberts, another resident on the estate, demanding he order a taxi. When Roberts explained he did not have a phone, Owen became verbally abusive. Owen then proceeded to another property occupied by Brendan Kenny, the 75-year-old victim preparing to watch television. In an unprovoked attack, Owen pushed and punched Kenny, causing him to sustain significant injuries, including a broken nose, cheekbone, and a dislodged jaw.
Neighbour Thomas Harrop witnessed the brutal assault, describing it as “vicious and ferocious,” with Owen showing no mercy towards the elderly victim. Despite pleas from onlookers to stop, Owen continued his attack, displaying a disturbing lack of remorse. Emergency services were alerted to the scene, rushed Mr. Kenny to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan for medical treatment. In a statement to the court, Mr. Kenny expressed his struggles following the incident, noting a loss of confidence due to his physical injuries.
During the court proceedings, Owen’s defence counsel, Hunter Gray, highlighted Owen’s remorse for the attack and underlying issues with alcohol leading to aggressive behaviour. Gray emphasised that Owen harbours no ill feelings towards Mr. Kenny or others involved and expressed a desire to convey his regret for his actions. Despite these statements, the judge, His Honour Timothy Petts, condemned the assault as “vicious,” recognising the lasting impact it had on Mr. Kenny’s wellbeing.
The community in Holyhead was left shocked by the senseless act of violence perpetrated by Owen, highlighting the vulnerability of elderly individuals to such unwarranted attacks. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable members of society and ensuring their protection against harm. As Owen serves his sentence, the repercussions of his actions continue to resonate within the community, prompting discussions on ways to prevent similar incidents in the future.