Bridgend man jailed for brutal attack on elderly neighbour
Ashley Morris, of Park Street, launched the assault on 12 March in the car park outside the block of flats in Brackla where both men lived.
The court heard the victim had just returned from his local shop when Morris approached him and told him to “smile now”. When the pensioner asked what he meant, Morris replied that he would “make him smile now” before punching him to the ground.
Morris then pinned his neighbour down and repeatedly punched him in the head and face before kicking him as he lay on the floor.
Covered in blood, the victim managed to stagger to a family member’s house nearby and raise the alarm.
Arrest and sentence
Morris was arrested at his nearby flat shortly afterwards and charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He later pleaded guilty.
On Monday 15 September, he was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to 42 months in prison.
Police: ‘A dangerous individual’
Detective Constable Georgina Prince, who led the investigation, said:
“Ashley Morris subjected his elderly neighbour to a brutal and sustained attack which was totally unprovoked.
He left his victim for dead on the floor before returning to his flat, as though nothing had happened. There has never been any sense of remorse.
He is a dangerous individual and belongs in prison where he can no longer be a threat to others.
I would like to commend the victim in this case who showed immense bravery throughout his ordeal. I hope he can take some comfort from knowing that his attacker will spend a considerable time in prison.”
