Couple attack former rugby star
11:10am Monday 1st February 2010
In what a prosecutor at Cardigan Courthouse described as “six or seven minutes of madness” a Teifi Valley dog breeder drove a tractor at the home of his neighbour and ex-Wales rugby international Hemi Taylor while the man’s wife assaulted the former star.
During completely unprovoked attacks at Gwernyrefail, Cross Inn, Llandysul, where Mr. Taylor lives with his wife Carys, neighbour Janice Lesley Griffiths threw punches at the 46-former Cardiff and Barbarians flanker who hails from New Zealand and won 24 Welsh caps in the mid 1990’s.
With arms flailing she punched him several times to the upper body, picked up a piece of wood and continued the attack.
Mr. Taylor had that day been released from hospital where he was treated for a virus infection and was extremely weak. He did not retaliate but managed to fend off the attack.
The woman then forgot her dignity, ripped her nightdress and exposed her breasts.
Darrell Griffiths, who a few hours earlier attended his father’s funeral, drove his tractor straight through the wooden gate, smashing it to pieces, and damaged a house sign and bollards.
He headed straight for the house where Mrs. Taylor was with her two-year-old child before doing a U-turn on the lawn.
He got down from the tractor in an animated state and told Mr. Taylor: “I’m going to ------- kill you.”
The attacks ended abruptly and the couple left.
The ugly scenes on the evening of July 23 last year had a sequel on Thursday when the couple appeared for sentence.
Darrell Griffiths aged 56, of Ffynnon Gynnen, Cross Inn, who was represented by Aled Owen, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing criminal damage amounting to £2,237.60.
His 54-year-old wife admitted common assault on Mr. Taylor.
Referring to an assertion by the couple that there had been a boundary dispute between the neighbours Mr. Pritchard Jones said “It was complete nonsense. This was made up by the Griffiths’ to muddy the waters and justify their behaviour.”
When arrested Darrell Griffiths told police “I admit everything. I caused the damage.”
He added that after attending his father’s funeral he had a mental breakdown and his actions were completely out of character.
Referring to Darrel Griffiths as “meek and mild mannered”, Mr. Owen said “They are deeply ashamed of their behaviour on that day.
Darrel Griffiths was fined £210 with £125 costs and £15 victim surcharge and ordered to pay compensation to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor.
Janice Griffiths was fined £150 with costs and victim surcharge.
