The family of a 72-year-old woman who was subjected to a "ferocious" attack with a crowbar in her own home say they have "lost a mum and mamgu" after the incident left her her needing round-the-clock care.
Retired teacher Ruth Yandle, who is just 5ft 2in tall, was struck across the head four times with the weapon and left lying in a pool of blood after burly Jeffrey Paul Lloyd had broken into her secluded home on Garnswllt Road near Pontarddulais on January 9.
Jeffrey Lloyd, who was on licence from prison having served part of a six-year sentence for possessing illegal weapons - some of which he had bought on the dark web - had previously staked out the home where Mrs Yandle lived with her daughter and two grandsons, as well as investigated techniques online for how to avoid detection.
After the assault, the 40-year-old took his victim’s handbag and left the property, abandoning it nearby after first taking a purse from inside.
She was discovered by her daughter and her eight-year-old grandson who was preparing to go to school.
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In a victim impact statement, Mrs Yandle’s son James told Swansea Crown Court his mother, who had continued to tutor pupils privately in her retirement, could no longer read or write, and was staying in a supported unit in Neath Port Talbot where she receives round-the-clock care, and could no longer remember her grandsons’ names.
Prosecuting, John Hipkin told the court that Mrs Yandle had been in good health and was regarded as an active member of the community who enjoyed travelling, and regularly took her grandsons to school as part of her morning routine.
On the day she was attacked, however, her daughter Catherine “became aware of a sound akin to something falling downstairs,” said Mr Hipkin.
“She then heard her mother crying loudly, and found her lying face upwards with a substantial amount of blood around her.
“This scene was unfortunately witnessed by her grandson.”
Mr Hipkin said in the weeks before the attack, Lloyd had accumulated a list of names and addresses within the SA4 postcode area, and had bought a mask and lock jiggler keys online, as well as researching police methods of detection.
He had also been casing the property the day before.
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Police investigating the attack identified a man on CCTV riding a bike away from the property, and spoke to Lloyd after calling at his home on St Teilo Street in Pontarddulais.
Lloyd denied having a bike, but on going inside the property to retrieve a phone number for officers, they spotted a bicycle, which Lloyd then said he had found some time earlier.
Officers also discovered at the property a jacket the same as the one worn by the individual identified on CCTV, and a rucksack which contained gloves, duct tape, a wrench, a face mask, a screwdriver, a Stanley knife blade, pliers, a camouflage rope, and a hammer with tape around the top. He was duly arrested.
Lloyd had denied at an earlier hearing a charge of attempted murder, but pleaded guilty on the day his trial was due to begin to grievous bodily harm with intent and robbery, which prosecutors accepted.
Mitigating, Gerry Mohabir said Lloyd had been in contact with a community psychiatric nurse, but was someone who had "fallen through the system who, in my opinion, is not ill enough, but clearly when reaches pressure points reacts particularly adversely".
He added Lloyd may have autism and learning difficulties, and "at times he shows a complete lack of sympathy and empathy".
“He says that is how he is. He does not cry very often. He is plain and blank.
“He lives in a world of conspiracies. His conviction in 2015 [for possession of illegal weapons] comes from the belief the state is after him, and he lives in a survivalist world.”
Mr Mohabir added: “When I put to him how he would feel if his mother was attacked in such a fashion, he did not show the reaction one would expect.
“But he fully understands the horror of his actions. He would simply like to say sorry”.
The court heard Lloyd’s previous convictions included the prison sentence for possession of illegal weapons, as well as assaulting a woman with a hammer in 2001, while she was sitting in her car after first smashing the car window.
And in 2005 he was jailed for 10 months for approaching a 15-year-old girl in a park and cutting her back with a knife.
Sentencing, Judge Keith Thomas said: “This is as serious a case of GBH with intent as it is possible to imagine.
“You planned to attempt a burgle a home, and when you came across the house holder you acted ferociously with a crowbar to her head which left her with life-changing injuries from which she will never recover.
“You then callously robbed her handbag.
“Ruthan Yandle was a much-loved school teacher. She was a bright and intelligent, independent member of the community. You have taken her independence, dignity, and even the ability to take a statement in these proceedings.
“That day you went with your kit of tools. You were looking for somewhere to burgle and decided on her home which she shared with her daughter and two grandchildren.
“You obviously came across her inside her home and struck her four times to the head with a substantial crow bar until she was lying on the floor.
“You then left the property taking her handbag, and outside checked the contents and took her purse.
“She was found by her daughter and her eight-year-old grand son.
“She suffered multiple fractures to the skull, a fracture to the arm, significant bleeding on the brain, leaving her incapable of looking after herself."
He added: “I am satisfied you pose a significant risk to the public of serious personal injury”.
Lloyd was jailed for life, with a determinate sentence of 18 years, and told he would serve a minimum of nine years before he could be considered for parole.
