Shotton man jailed after attacking victim in street over ex-girlfriend

Robert Ditu, of Chester Road East in Shotton, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentence on Tuesday morning.

The 25-year-old had admitted counts of stalking and inflicting grievous bodily at a previous hearing.

John Philpotts, prosecuting, told the court that during the summer last year, Ditu met a woman named Angel Ward.

He said they began a relationship, albeit "not a happy one," as Dito was emotionally and physically abusive to her.

When she ended that relationship, the defendant began to harass her.

One of the main factors was that she'd become friendly with another man named Thomas Lloyd, Mr Philpotts explained.

In September, Ditu told Ms Ward she should move in with him.

Ms Ward refused, leading to Ditu spitting in her face.

Despite the incident, she hoped they could remain friends, and initially the defendant accepted this - promising to give her space.

However, he began to bombard her with calls and messages, as well as following her and turning up in places he knew she would be, which caused her constant fear.

On November 14 last year, Ditu approached Mr Lloyd and struck him so hard to the face that he caused multiple facial fractures.

The victim said there was a "pain like a sharp burn," and he'd lost sight in his right eye immediately, explaining: "I thought he'd burst my eyeball at first."

When he was taken to hospital, it was discovered that he'd sustained fractures to the walls and floor of the right eye socket, right cheek bone and nose.

After striking him, Ditu shouted at the defendant: "Stay away from Angel, she is mine."

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The victim required complex surgery, with multiple plates and screws to reconstruct the the eye socket.

And although he made a "satisfactory recovery," the impact on his life has been severe, the court heard.

Attending the hearing to read his victim impact statement in person, he said: "Life is absolutely miserable at the moment, it is just not enjoyable.

"The incident has left me partially blind in one eye and I have chronic pain and double vision. The right side of my face is numb.

"The mental scars are worse; since this, I have been diagnosed with PTSD and severe anxiety and depression.

"I have been told I won't be able to drive now, that's been taken away from me.

"On Sunday I went to my local shop, and I was hit by a car because I couldn't see it coming on the right."

Reading Angel Ward's statement to the court, Mr Philpotts said the defendant's actions had caused her to change her life to avoid him - rarely leaving the house and taking longer routes, as well as being "constantly on the lookout."

"I don't feel secure," she said - "I felt trapped and I am mistrustful of males now."

As for the defendant, Mr Philpotts said he surrendered himself to the police the next day and admitted striking Mr Lloyd.

He accepted it was "wrong to behave in that way," telling officers he was "jealous" and had "lost control."

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Philip Tully, defending, told the court: "Mr Ditu accepts his conduct in this case towards Ms Ward and Mr Lloyd was unacceptable, and that he's caused them both a great deal of upset.

"He wishes to apologise and has expressed genuine remorse.

"The stalking involves numerous texts and calls and Mr Ditu attending her home when they were having a break in the relationship.

"Apart from the one incident where he spat at her, there was no other violence.

"Regarding the assault on Mr Lloyd, he accepts this is a serious matter.

"This was a single punch with no weapon, and it occurred when he saw Mr Lloyd walking down the street and approached him, so there was no pre-meditation.

"It was completely out of character."

Speaking of the assault, Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones told the defendant: "You didn't need a weapon in order to cause those injuries.

"Your hand in a fist was a weapon in itself and it's obvious that what you did to him has had a significant effect on his life.

"All of what has happened to those two people is your fault."

Ditu received a total custodial sentence of two years.