Attackers armed with weapons set upon family in…

Attackers armed with weapons set upon family in Cardiff street

A couple and a friend armed themselves with a glass and a wooden plank before smashing a woman's car up and attacking her family. They made threats to kill the woman after she told them she was going to ring social services.

Sinead Feneck, 28, Kyle O'Callaghan, 27, and Jordan Hull, 26, caused a "scene of violence" in Cardiff on March 23 last year when they attended the home of Zoe Hall and her family. Ms Hall had threatened to call social services on Feneck, which led to a confrontation between the two.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard Fenck and Ms Hall bumped into each other outside a shop in Llanrumney and the defendant said: "I am going to kill you if you grass me up to social services" and threatened to throw a glass bottle at her car. She added: "Watch in the next five minutes."

Feneck, her partner O'Callaghan, and Hull attended Ms Hall's home in Llanrumney when her sister Zara Hall saw O'Callaghan smashing up her car. She went outside and began to record them. Prosecutor Byron Broadstock said Adam Hall went outside but was confronted by O'Callaghan who threw a punch at Zara Hall.

O'Callaghan then struck Adam Hall to the head several times with the glass, causing a cut to the back of his head. Hull, who was wearing black clothing and a balaclava, picked up a piece of wood from the floor and used it in a threatening manner before chasing members of the Hall family. Feneck was described as shouting threats of violence, saying: "Come here – I want to fight you now. I'll rip your heads off."

The defendants then left the scene with O'Callaghan causing further damage to Ms Hall's car. The value of the damage caused to the car was £1,293. A video of the incident was played to the court.

Feneck, of Burnham Avenue, Llanrumney; O'Callaghan, of Ball Road, Llanrumney; and Hull, of Brynheulog, Pentwyn, later pleaded guilty to affray. O'Callaghan also pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating, and criminal damage.

O'Callaghan was also to be sentenced for possessing a bladed article on July 14 when he was chased by police from a Tesco store in Cardiff and was seen to throw a machete over a wall. The court heard O'Callaghan had previous convictions for wounding, criminal damage, and possession of a bladed article. Feneck has previous convictions for battery, assault by beating, and attempted criminal damage. Hull has previous convictions for public order offences, criminal damage, possession of a bladed article, battery, theft, robbery, assault by beating, and battery.

In mitigation Derrick Gooden, for O'Callaghan, said his client was remorseful and had been remanded in custody for six months where he has undertaken courses and works as a painter. Hashim Salmman, for Feneck, said probation had recommended an alternative to custody. Hannah Friedman, for Hull, said her client was "sorry" for the fear and hurt he had caused. Since his remand in custody he has become a father to a son and had been unable to receive physiotherapy after breaking numerous bones due to a fall.

Sentencing, Recorder Greg Bull KC said: "Each of you played a part in a scene of violence in a Cardiff street which was wholly unnecessary... Tempers got out of control."

O'Callaghan was sentenced to a total of 21 months imprisonment. Hull was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. Feneck was sentenced to a 24-month community order. She must also carry out 19 sessions of an accredited programme and a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

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