A qualified accountant broke a 63-year-old woman's arm after lashing out at her dog in a fit of panic but ended up hitting her instead. Anthony Mears reacted out of fear after the animal ran up to him and left the owner with an accidental 'catastrophic' injury that has left her unable to do basic things for herself.
Mears, of The Willows, Aberdare also threw a punch at the woman's husband before shouting at the couple: "You don't know who you are messing with". However, the 54-year-old later handed himself into police after saying he was 'truly apologetic' for his violent behaviour, Wales Online reports.
He appeared for sentencing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on January 20 after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. The court heard how Michelle Bowen was making breakfast at her home in Aberdare in the morning of August 15 when her dog reacted to Mears walking past her window in the street.
The canine ran out of the property towards Mears who walking his own dogs outside the property. Andrew Kendall, prosecuting said that Ms Bowen ran outside after her pet and when she caught up with it, she bent down to grab its collar.
However, Mears kicked out in defence towards the direction of the animal but instead made contact with the owner's arm. Ms Bowen's husband then came out the house to see what was going on and got into an argument with Mears who then threw a punch at him.
After the couple went back inside the house, Mears shouted at them: "You don't know who you are messing with". Mears then continued to walk his dogs in the direction of Aberdare Park.
Ms Bowen went to hospital later that day where she was discovered to have fractured a bone in her arm which required being put in a plaster and sling. The defendant handed himself into a police station on August 26 after telling police that he had aimed to kick the dog and not Ms Bowen and alleged she had hurt her own arm by pulling the dog away.
Kendall added that before the incident Ms Bowen was a very 'independent' woman who walked her dogs three times a day as well as caring for her elderly mother. However, the injury she sustained as a result of the incident has caused her to become more dependent on her husband who has had to take time off work to look after her and pick up her usual responsibilities.
The court heard that the incident has had a 'huge impact' on Ms Bowen's life after she's been left unable to dress herself, cook meals or drive. It was also stated that she has become more 'nervous' having lost the confidence in going out doing things on her own.
Mears had two previous convictions prior to this offence which included a 21 month imprisonment in 2020 for unlawful wounding after he bit another man four times during a fit in a Wetherspoons pub two years earlier. He left 23-year-old Jarrad Davies with such deep wound bites that doctors treating him allegedly asked what type of dog had attacked him.
However, Mears' initial sentence was squashed after a hearing in the Court of Appeal with a six month jail term imposed instead. Defending Mears, Ross McQuillan-Johnson said that his 'frightened' client had kicked out at Ms Bowen's dogs, rather than the complainant herself and happened to "unfortunately" collide with the 63-year-old's arm instead.
He said that the defendant was 'apologetic' and 'truly remorseful' for his crimes, understanding that he had 'caused great pain' with his actions which was why he gave a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity. The fully trained accountant who is in full time employment is set to start an anger management course.
Passing sentence, Recorder Greg Bull KC described the incident as "a reckless act in the heat of the moment". He added: "Unfortunately, it caused what turned out to be a catastrophic injury to [Ms Bowen] which caused her great discomfort and a loss of amenity."
Mears was handed a four month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to the victim as well as costs of £420 and a statutory surcharge of £154 which must be paid by April 7 this year.
He must also complete a 20 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.
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