A neighbour row has erupted in broad daylight in a dispute over parking.
Dan Haines, 61, of West Roedin, Wales, pleaded guilty to attacking his neighbour’s boyfriend and causing actual bodily harm (ABH) and possession of a knife in public at Newport Magistrates’ Court.
The victim suffered cuts to his chin and thumb during the broad daylight attack, which took place on June 21 in Cwmbran.
The incident contributed to the eventual breakdown of the victim’s relationship with his partner, who lived on the same street as the attacker.
Dan Haines attacked his neighbour’s boyfriend
Prosecutor Mike Williams told the court that Haines had made threats before unlawfully assaulting the complainant.
He said: “The complainant suffered a cut to his chin and his thumb which went down into the nail.”
Defence solicitor Ross Williams said: “There is dispute over the exact mechanism by which the injury was caused but it is accepted that my client left his property with a knife and that injuries occurred as a result of the knife.”
Police were called to the scene and recovered the weapon following a 999 call.
The court heard that Haines’ only previous conviction dated back to 1983
In a statement read to the court, the victim expressed ongoing concerns about returning to the street where the attack occurred.
“This has made me much more cautious about going out,” he said. “It happened in broad daylight and I was concerned about what else he could be capable of doing.”
The victim, who works in electronics, reported continued pain in his thumb when pressed, with the injury affecting his ability to perform detailed tasks.
He explained that while the assault was not the direct cause of his relationship ending, it had contributed to the separation as the couple became “very wary about going outside.”
Haines bowed his head in court as the victim’s statement was read out.
The court heard that Haines’ only previous conviction dated back to 1983.
His defence solicitor requested a pre-sentence report to allow magistrates to learn more about Haines’ mental health issues.
Presiding Justice Shan Hodges adjourned the case, with sentencing scheduled for January 23.
