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Llanelli Man Jailed for Violent Hammer Attack Following Noise Complaint
A man has been sentenced to six years in prison following a violent attack in Llanelli where he struck his neighbour multiple times with a hammer, resulting in serious injuries.
The incident occurred in March of this year when Leighton Francis, residing in one of six flats above the Carwyn James pub on Station Road, confronted his neighbour, Nicholas Jenkins, after receiving a noise complaint. Francis was noted to create “significant noise,” prompting Jenkins to shout for him to quiet down.
On March 15, Francis and Jenkins encountered each other in a communal area of the property. According to the prosecution, Francis, armed with a hammer, approached Jenkins and questioned him about the complaint. When Jenkins reiterated his request for Francis to reduce the noise, Francis reacted violently, striking Jenkins on the head and body several times with the hammer.
Jenkins fell to the ground, where Francis continued the assault. Following the attack, another resident aided Jenkins, who was bleeding profusely. Emergency services were called, and Jenkins was transported to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for urgent medical attention.
A CT scan revealed that Jenkins had sustained a fracture to the left side of his skull, with bone pushed inward, as well as bruising and bleeding on his brain. He also suffered fluid in his abdominal cavity, bleeding from his spleen, and a tear to the membrane. A personal victim statement read in court detailed how the assault had profoundly affected Jenkins both mentally and physically, leading to ongoing symptoms and a diagnosis of PTSD.
Francis, aged 51, appeared for sentencing at Swansea Crown Court via videolink from Swansea prison after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The court was informed that Francis has a criminal history with 15 previous convictions for 34 offences.
In mitigation, Francis’ lawyer expressed that he is remorseful for his actions. However, Judge Paul Thomas KC described the attack as brutal, emphasising the severity of Jenkins’ injuries, which necessitated a transfer to a specialist hospital due to the extent of the trauma. The judge pointed out the serious physical and psychological consequences Jenkins would face as a result of the attack.
In addition to the six-year prison sentence, Francis received an extended licence period of four years following his release.
