Rhos man left ex-girlfriend's then-partner with broken jaw

David Cope-Davies, of Stryt Las in Rhos, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday for sentence.

The 37-year-old had previously admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent upon a man named David Roberts in Pen-y-Cae on June 30 last year.

Prosecutor Hannah Williams told the court that the victim in the case was, at the time of the offence, in a relationship with a woman whom the defendant had previously been in a relationship and with whom the defendant has a child.

On the morning of the offence, Mr Roberts had spent time at the woman's house and was about to leave to go to work - but as he opened the door he saw Cope-Davies' vehicle parked outside.

The defendant shouted at him, causing the victim to go back inside.

A short time later, when he believed Cope-Davies had left, he made to exit again; but Cope-Davies "emerged from nowhere" and started throwing punches.

The court heard he delivered six or seven blows to the victim's face, breaking his jaw in two places.

Following the incident, Mr Roberts required surgery including the fitting of two metal plates, which resulted in a 'long and difficult' recovery.

In his victim personal statement, read to the court by Ms Williams, he explained: "I remain constantly aware of the metal plates.

"He was waiting and emerged suddenly from an alleyway.

"I no longer feel safe in situations where I might encounter him.

"Being violently assaulted has left me feeling vulnerable and shaken."

He described the incident as "wholly avoidable and unnecessary."

When Cope-Davies' phone was downloaded by the police, it was discovered in his messages that not only had he planned the attack days earlier - he "openly boasted" about it afterwards.

David Cope-Davies outside court (Image: Staff)

Elzbeth Kenny, defending, told the court that the case was previously adjourned in order for the prosecution to obtain medical evidence to demonstrate the level of harm caused by the defendant as it exists today.

But such evidence had not been obtained, she said - telling the court its absence should place the offence into a lower sentencing bracket.

"I'm not dismissing at all the serious nature of the injuries," she said.

"He pleaded guilty on the basis of the medical evidence as it was given at the time, which covered 2025."

Ms Kenny said her client "accepts the prosecution case in its entirety," adding her client's actions were borne out of concern for his daughter and at a time when he was "riddled with jealousy and fear" due to "the men his ex-partner was associating with."

She added Cope-Davies is on the autistic spectrum and "has difficulty with emotional regulation."

"He is able to hold down a respectable role as a cable fitter for a specialist company which builds wind farm infrastructure," she said.

"He wants to make amends and better himself."

Sally Kemp, Chair of the Magistrates, told the defendant: "Going around beating people up who you think aren't appropriate isn't the way.

"This was a very nasty attack on Mr Roberts.

"It's so serious, it crosses the custody threshold."

The defendant received an eight month custodial sentence, suspended for two years with 26 sessions on an accredited programme and 10 days of rehabilitation activity.

He must also pay the victim £1,000 in compensation, as well as a £187 victim surcharge and £85 costs.