Young father jailed over stabbing near Caerphilly Castle

A young dad was jailed for a knife attack on the banks of Caerphilly Castle moat.

Victim Ioan Phillips, 23, was left fighting for his life after a knife was plunged into his abdomen by attacker Scott Chamberlain near the grounds of the 13th century castle.

Nigel Fryer, prosecuting, said: “Chamberlain was not known to Mr Phillips. There was a conversation between the two groups and there was no animosity.

“However, after 30 minutes, matters appeared to escalate after an argument about where Chamberlain’s bag had gone and there was an altercation.”

The court heard Chamberlain, 24, was assaulted – and lost part of his ear in the scuffle before producing a knife from his bag.

Mr Fryer added: “He said it was his intention to scare those around him but a further confrontation ensued.

“He was brandishing the knife in a reckless manner and Mr Phillips was wounded. It was a single wound.”

Mr Phillips was rushed to hospital and spent three days in intensive care after the attack on May 28 this year.

Chamberlain was arrested after a stabbing on the banks of Caerphilly Castle moat in Dafydd Williams Park.

The dad-of-one, of Nantgarw Road, Caerphilly, admitted unlawful wounding and possession of a bladed article.

Laurence Jones, defending, said: “Since being in custody, he has missed the birth of his first child. It is something he deeply, deeply regrets.

“The defendant suffered significant injury himself that night. He lost the back part of his ear and sustained significant facial injuries and needed hospital treatment.

“He has been left permanently disfigured.”

Chamberlain was jailed for two years and eight months at Cardiff Crown Court.

Recorder Paul Lewis said: “It was a potentially lethal weapon you had in your possession that day.”