A HOMELESS man who attacked a good Samaritan with a broom, fracturing her elbow, has been jailed despite her act of kindness in offering him shelter.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Regan Boswell, 52, assaulted his friend at her home in Hakin on October 29, 2023, after she allowed him to stay the night.

Prosecutor Dean Pulling explained that Boswell, who was homeless, had knocked on the victim’s door asking for a place to stay. Out of compassion, she welcomed him in, hoping to help.

Initially, the arrangement was peaceful, Mr. Pulling said. However, Boswell left to purchase alcohol and later became agitated. While the victim was watching videos on her phone in the living room, Boswell suddenly entered, armed with a broom, and lashed out.

“He complained about the noise from her videos and struck her with the broom,” Mr. Pulling told the court. The attack was so forceful that the broom broke upon impact with her elbow. Boswell then used the broken handle to strike her in the stomach.

In his rage, Boswell also smashed the victim’s phone, damaged an extension cord, and overturned cans of lager in the house. Terrified, the victim fled to seek help from neighbors but found no assistance. She eventually left the building entirely until Boswell vacated the area.

The victim later attended Withybush Hospital, where doctors confirmed she had sustained a fractured elbow. In a statement read to the court, she described being deeply shaken by the violence. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” she said, adding that the betrayal by someone she considered a friend made it all the more distressing.

Boswell, who has no fixed address, was located by police at a spot where he had been sleeping rough. The court was told he has a long criminal record, including 98 prior offences, with 15 relating to violence and 19 involving property damage.

Defence counsel Dan Griffiths acknowledged Boswell’s extensive history of offending and attributed his actions to excessive alcohol consumption. “He admits he has a pattern of destructive behaviour,” Mr. Griffiths said, adding that Boswell’s guilty pleas were his only substantial mitigation. “He was making efforts to stay out of trouble and avoid prison.”

Judge Huw Rees condemned Boswell’s actions, highlighting his inability to control his temper or respect women. “Your actions were entirely unjustifiable,” the judge said.

Boswell was sentenced to 21 months in prison after admitting to charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm and criminal damage. Additionally, a seven-year restraining order was imposed to protect the victim.

POLICE are investigating an attempted burglary at the flat above the Welsh Bakery on Robert Street, Milford Haven. The incident is believed to have occurred between 4:30pm on Saturday, January 18, and 8:45am on Monday, January 20, 2025.

It is understood that force was used in an attempt to gain access to the upstairs flat.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact PC 865 Andy Baxter at Haverfordwest police station. You can reach out via:

Online: Dyfed-Powys Police Contact Form

Email: [email protected]

Direct message on social media

Phone: 101

Please quote reference number 50 of January 20.

A LUNG condition has landed a Hakin man in the dock after he refused to give a breath test when suspected of driving through Haverfordwest town centre while over the drink-drive limit.

Frank Morrissey was stopped by officers on December 12 and asked to provide a roadside breath test. He refused.

This week Morrissey, 58, of Glebelands, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court, where he denied failing to provide the breath test for analysis. His solicitor, Tom Lloyd, claimed his client suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a lung condition resulting in breathing difficulties. As a result, the defendant was unable to provide the breath test.

The case was adjourned to March 20, when Morrissey’s trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court. He was released on unconditional bail.