A man from Resolven has been jailed after he launched an unprovoked attack on a father outside his Glynneath home, leaving him with serious facial injuries, before striking the victim’s son in front of younger children.
The incident
On the morning of August 11, the victim was upstairs while his two young children played outside. When he noticed two men walking past, one shouting and swearing, he went downstairs to check on them.
Outside, he found Robin Griffiths, aged 34, speaking to the children. Griffiths accused the father of mocking him. When the man tried to explain he had simply been gesturing to his children, Griffiths punched him in the face.
The victim fell to the ground and was repeatedly struck, leaving him with an orbital bone fracture and restricted eye movement that required surgery. Griffiths then told him: “Now you know who I am.”
Children witnessed the attack
The man’s older son came outside to help his father and told Griffiths he was calling the police. Griffiths responded by slapping the boy in the chest and repeating the same threat. The two younger children witnessed the violence and were left crying outside the property.
Court hearing
Griffiths, of Neath Road, Resolven, was arrested and initially claimed self‑defence. He later admitted grievous bodily harm without intent and assault by beating.
At Swansea Crown Court, Judge Huw Rees sentenced him to 20 months in prison and imposed a five‑year restraining order preventing contact with the main victim.
In mitigation, defence barrister Kevin Seal said Griffiths had served in the army before being medically discharged with PTSD, and that the incident happened while he was in a drug‑induced state. He added that Griffiths’ remorse was genuine.
Police statement
Detective Inspector Danielle Thorne of South Wales Police said:
“Everybody should feel safe when they are within the confines of their own home or garden. There is absolutely no place for violent people like Robin Griffiths on our streets. It is only right that he should pay for his violence with a spell in prison.”
