Victim's face was rebuilt after 'ball in sock' attack

A MAN has said he feared he was about to die as a thug repeatedly pelted him with a metal ball inside a sock.

- JONATHON HILL

Paul D'Urso was so badly injured in the horrific attack which happened near Swansea city centre last year that he had to have a lengthy operation to have his face realigned after multiple facial fractures, Swansea Crown Court heard on Tuesday.

The feud between the pair had started two days earlier on November 3 when, after 60-year-old Wiggins and friend Paul Matthews, 48, had asked Mr D'Urso to lend them money during a drinking session at Wiggins' flat at Maritime Quarter, an argument ensued after Mr D'Urso refused to hand over cash.

Matthews assaulted Mr D'Urso including by stamping on his face and body, leaving the victim hospitalised with multiple injuries, Helen Randall, prosecuting, told the court. The court heard a wooden chair leg was also allegedly used in the attack although Matthews denies ever using it.

Mr D'Urso was initially reluctant to report the attack to the police but, after being encouraged to while in hospital later that day, decided to tell South Wales Police what had happened.

It led to Wiggins being arrested, although he was eventually released over the incident and Matthews was instead arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.