PORT TALBOT: ‘Cowardly’ trio sentenced over violent robbery that left man in hospital

Two 19-year-olds have been locked up over a violent robbery in Port Talbot that left a man needing hospital treatment.

Junior Evans, from Port Talbot, and Kurtis James, of no fixed abode, were both committed to young offenders’ institutions after admitting robbery over the attack on 26 November last year.

The victim was left in hospital with a cut to the back of his head that needed to be glued, South Wales Police said.

Evans, who attacked the man and stole his bank card, admitted robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to two years and six months.

He was also given a five-year restraining order against the victim and must pay a £228 victim surcharge.

James admitted robbery and keeping a child in care away from the responsible person without lawful authority. He was sentenced to three years and two months, also with a five-year restraining order.

A 17-year-old boy from Cwmbran, who cannot be named because of his age, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and breaching two bail conditions.

He was handed a twelve-month youth referral order and a one-year restraining order against the victim.

Detective Constable Ria Price said the attack was “an unacceptable episode of chaotic violence against a defenceless individual, enacted by three cowardly young men”.

“There is no place in society for thugs who behave like them,” she said.

She added: “Reviewing the footage of the incident during the investigation was stomach-churning. It is incredibly fortunate that they did not do even more serious damage to the victim.”

The force has not released details of where in the town the attack took place.