Crime

Baby C case: Court hears injuries were “catastrophic” as victim impact statements read

Published

1 month ago

January 16, 2026

A MAN convicted of a series of violent and sexual offences against a baby aged no more than 10 weeks has been back before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, January 16) for sentence, as the prosecution set out the “horrific” impact on the child and his family.

Christopher Phillips was found guilty after a contested trial in which he denied responsibility and blamed others, including the baby’s father and the child’s mother, the court heard.

Opening the sentencing hearing, the prosecution said the jury convicted Phillips of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, including multiple fractured ribs and a bleed on the brain. He was also convicted of two counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13, as well as an assault occasioning actual bodily harm linked to bruising to the child’s testicle.

The most serious sexual count related to an incident on January 23 to 24, 2021, which the prosecutor said caused a deep laceration described by doctors as a catastrophic injury. The court was told the baby required morphine, which expert evidence suggested was “very, very rare” for a child of that age.

The earlier penetration count involved an injury the prosecution said was already healing.

The prosecutor told the judge that Phillips made no admissions in police interviews and continued to deny wrongdoing during the trial, but now accepts he was responsible for the injuries. However, the prosecution urged the court to take a “critical eye” to his account, saying he still did not explain the mechanism of what happened and had blamed other people for a prolonged period.

Victim personal statements were then placed before the court on behalf of the child, who is too young to speak for himself.

The child’s grandmother described the case as the kind of story “you may hear on the news” but said being directly involved “changes you forever.” She said the baby’s injuries could not be erased by any prison sentence and told the court the family lost almost a year with him while he was placed with foster carers during family court proceedings.

The statement said the child was fearful around men after the injuries and that the impact had been “devastating” for the wider family. The grandmother also described the trauma of the baby’s father being arrested at the outset of the investigation and treated as a suspect.

A statement from the baby’s father, read out in court at his request, described the pain of learning about the injuries after being arrested on January 24, 2021. He said he was “shattered” and had to face police questioning while fearing his son might not survive.

He told the court the baby was flown by air ambulance for surgery and that surgeons had considered fitting a colostomy bag due to the severity of the injury, but were ultimately able to repair it. He said the baby later showed distress when being changed on raised changing tables and became anxious during potty training, needing comfort.

The father said his son is now five and that the family cannot yet know the long-term psychological impact. He said the child has been referred for assessment as the family has noticed difficulties with frustration, compulsions, and anxiety-driven behaviours.

He also described the lasting effect on him, saying he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and continues to receive support. He said one of the hardest issues he faces is deciding what to tell his son in future about what happened and when.

The court was also told Phillips had previous cautions for burglary and for importing a psychoactive substance, as well as a later conviction for importation of a psychoactive substance.

In submissions on sentence, the prosecution said the most serious offences carry a maximum of life imprisonment, and invited the court to treat the case as at “the upper end” of harm and culpability given the age and vulnerability of the baby, the severity of the injuries, and the period over which the offending occurred.

Sentencing is expected to follow after the court has heard from the defence and considered reports and legal submissions.

THE CASE CONTINUES

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

13 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.

Sentence and order

Mayze, who appeared via video link from prison, had previously denied a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

18 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

19 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.