Rhyl brothers broke man's nose in ‘two-on-one vicious attack’

Shayne and Justin Faddes, aged 48 and 41 respectively, were each sentenced to a year’s imprisonment at Mold Crown Court today (November 2).

They had both previously admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

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Prosecuting, Thomas McLoughlin told the court that, early on April 12, 2022, the brothers were drinking together at The Cove, on Water Street.

Michael Hartley, the victim of the assault, was also at The Cove at the same time; he was not with the brothers, but they were known to each other.

During the course of the evening, Mr Hartley had been “rather disruptive”, and was asked to leave The Cove by staff after “friction” developed between the two parties.

The brothers and Mr Hartley were then seen “squaring up to each other”, and after leaving The Cove, he was assaulted by both of them at about 3am.

Closed circuit television (CCTV) footage, shown in court, showed Mr Hartley being followed by the brothers.

Shayne Faddes, of Wellington Road, then kicked him from behind and directed a number of blows towards him.

Shayne Faddes (Image: North Wales Police)

Mr Hartley fell to the floor, and after a member of the public attempted to intervene, Justin Faddes, of West Kinmel Street, then punched him.

As Mr Hartley fled, he was pursued by both brothers, before Shayne threw a large bin at him, causing him to stumble on fall.

While once again on the floor, both defendants then kicked and struck at him.

The same member of the public continued to try to intervene, but once Mr Hartley returned to his feet, further strikes were inflicted, and he then suffered repeated kicks to the head.

Other members of the public joined to help him, before the brothers eventually left the scene.

Mr Hartley was taken to hospital, having suffered a fractured eye socket, a laceration to an eyelid, a broken nose, a laceration to his left leg with swelling, a small cut to his lower right shin, and a bloodshot left eye.

He reported feeling “dizzy” and “in pain” for some time, and said his head injuries meant he could not walk properly for a number of days.

Both defendants were interviewed in early 2023, during which they each said Mr Hartley provoked them, and that they believed he was carrying a knife at the time.

They also claimed he had faked his injuries sustained during the attack.

Defending Justin Faddes, who had seven previous convictions for nine offences, Gareth Bellis said his client accepts his involvement in the attack, but has not re-offended in the 18 months since.

Justin Faddes (Image: North Wales Police)

A father-of-two, Justin Faddes “clearly can be managed in the community”, Mr Bellis said.

With this in mind, he invited the court to suspend his custodial sentence, with “very, very strict requirements” attached to it, including a curfew, unpaid work and rehabilitation activities.

Defending Shayne Faddes, who had three previous convictions for seven offences, Andrew Green said that the incident began with a “very significant degree of provocation” from Mr Hartley.

Mr Green said: “He and his brother had no other intention that night but to enjoy a quiet night in the pub.

“What happened next was uncalled for and unnecessary.

“None of that is designed to excuse what came next; I and my client realise that his behaviour was very serious.”

References made on Shayne Faddes’ behalf, Mr Green said, showed “a very different side” to the defendant.

Indeed, his mother described him as “caring”, “hard-working”, and “a good father”.

Mr Green also asked for a suspended sentence for his client.

But Recorder Wyn Lloyd-Jones, presiding over the hearing, said that only immediate custody would suffice.

He described the incident as a “totally unnecessary and unjustifiable two-on-one vicious attack”.

Recorder Lloyd-Jones told them: “No matter how he (Mr Hartley) behaved that night, he did not deserve what we have been watching (on CCTV).

“What you should have done was walk away in the completely opposite direction.

“A suspended sentence would not be sufficient punishment for what is clearly a sickening two-on-one piece of street violence.

“You should both be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves.”