Chaos in Aberystwyth: Trio Avoids Jail for Violent Brawl
A shocking fight in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, left one man with injuries—but no one faces immediate jail. The incident, caught on camera, saw a man treated for non-life threatening wounds.
Judge Slams ‘Disgraceful’ Violence
Judge Huw Rees branded the incident “disgraceful.” An eyewitness called the scene “madness.” The trio responsible was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid labour instead of being locked up.
Harsh Sentences, But Prison Suspended
- Richard Allen, 31, from Birmingham, got 22 months prison, suspended for 12, after pleading guilty to affray, damaging a police cell, and breaching bail in October 2019.
- Darren Dragoonis, 35, also from Birmingham, received 16 months prison, suspended for 12, after admitting affray.
- Jack Smith, 27, of Solihull, West Midlands, was handed 16 months suspended for 12 after pleading guilty to affray and possession of a Class B drug.
Judge’s Stark Warning to the Trio
“You had been welcomed in Aberystwyth, a well-known tourist town, and you had thrown the welcome back in their faces,” said Judge Rees. “How would you feel, fathers, if your children were out and about in Aberystwyth and saw something like this? It’s a total disgrace.” “You richly deserve to go to prison,” he added, but acknowledged their “increased maturity” since. The court also heard none have committed violent crimes since the clash.
