Thugs took turns to beat defenceless man with a baseball bat

TWO friends passed a metal baseball bat between each other as they took turns to brutally beat a defenceless man.

- CONOR GOGARTY

Tristan Chapman, 30, and Konrad Jones, 29, carried out the savage attack on Martyn Peach in the early hours of July 16, 2023, in the Pontnewydd suburb of Cwmbran.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Mr Peach was walking home from a friend's house at 2am when the two attackers pulled up in a car on Ty Box Road.

"An argument ensued between the three men about money owed to Mr Peach by one of the defendants," said prosecutor Dan Jones.

"During the course of the argument, Mr Jones and Mr Chapman got out of the car, adopted a fighting stance, and swung punches at Mr Peach," he added.

Jones told his accomplice to get the bat from the car boot, then they both took turns to inflict blows on the victim.

"The assault ended and later that day Mr Peach attended the Grange University Hospital. He had wounds to his lips, loose teeth, and swelling to his left forearm and fingers," the prosecutor went on.

One of Mr Peach's fingers was broken and he needed metal wire and dental cement to resecure his loose teeth. He was initially reluctant to name the culprits, but eventually did so and they were arrested.