Man jailed for 14 years for 'violent, unprovoked' attack which killed dad
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke jails Steven Chappell for 14 years.
A man has been jailed for 14 years for killing a beloved father in a "violent, unprovoked" attack.
Steven Chappell, 29, kicked and punched pubgoer Daniel Bradley, 32, while he lay defenceless on the floor near The Brogden pub, Porthcawl, in the early hours of 9 September last year.
He was found guilty of manslaughter at trial, where he was acquitted of murder.
In the early hours of September 9, 2023, Mr Bradley was walking down a lane near the pub when he was assaulted twice by Chappell.
Mr Bradley had been drinking in the pub that evening and was described as "his normal self", joking and dancing around.
While in the lane by the pub, Chappell - who was under the influence of alcohol and drugs - had mistakenly accused Mr Bradley of owing his girlfriend money.
In CCTV played to the court, the defendant could be seen delivering kicks and punches to Mr Bradley as he lay defenceless on the floor, returning to confront and attack "quite timid and shy" Mr Bradley for a second time.
After Chappell had left the scene, Mr Bradley remained on the floor for 13 minutes before he and girlfriend Cherelle McKay were able to get up and walk away.
The court heard Chappell had "bragged" about the assault after the incident, claiming he did it because Mr Bradley "had said something about (Chappell's) girlfriend".
Following the assault, the court heard Mr Bradley was taken to hospital on September 11 after experiencing difficulty breathing at home due to a broken rib, and was discharged before an ambulance was called to his house on September 15.
He was suffering from severe sepsis, which caused multi-organ failure and cardiac arrest, causing irreversible brain damage due to a lack of oxygen while his heart was not beating.
He died in hospital on September 23, aged 32, with his family at his bedside.
During Chappell's sentencing hearing on Monday, Mr Bradley's family described their pain at the dad-of-two's loss as "unbearable".
They said: "Losing Dan has changed our lives in ways we can’t explain. Each day we get an overwhelming sense of sadness. Grief doesn’t hit you on birthdays or special occasions. It affects you every single second of every single day. Everything feels incomplete. The only thing we have to remember Dan is our memories."
Mr Bradley’s father also described Chappell as a “coward” who has never said sorry for what happened. He added: “Steven Chappell can be visited in prison by his children. They will be able to speak to him over the phone and write letters to him. Dan’s children will not have these privileges."
Addressing the defendant at Newport Crown Court, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke described the two assaults as a "vicious attack", adding: "This was persistent violence.
"You have caused terrible grief and immeasurable pain that cannot be healed.
"It is submitted on your behalf that you feel remorse. You told your then probation officer that you did not want Mr Bradley to die, and you said you were very emotional.
"You told the probation officer who wrote the pre-sentence report that you took it too far, expressing regret for the extent of your assault, but not recognising that you shouldn't have assaulted Mr Bradley at all.
"When you expressed emotions, it was to think of your children, not Mr Bradley's children, and how your children would feel if you had been the victim... you are not truly remorseful.
"You are a man with a long history of violence, you have minimised and justified your violent behaviour and you try to blame others."
Chappell, of Beechwood Avenue, Cwmdare, Aberdare, was handed an extended sentence of 16 years, made up of 14 years custody and an extended licence period of two years.
He will serve two-thirds of the custodial element in custody before he will be considered for release. If released at that point, he will serve the remainder of the 14-year term on licence and then an extended licence period of two years will begin.
He had appeared before the courts on eight previous occasions for 17 offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, battery, criminal damage, and possession of drugs.
Addressing the victim's family, the judge said: "To the family of Mr Bradley, I know that a sentence cannot ease the terrible grief that you are suffering, and it's not intended to reflect the value of Daniel's life because that, of course, is beyond measure.
"It's clear that he was very precious to you all, and he was dearly loved, not only by his family, but by all who knew him.
"In addition to the terrible grief you are suffering, you've had to cope with these proceedings. You have done so with patience and dignity. Thank you. The court offers its sincere condolences to you."
Detective Inspector Claire Lamerton, of South Wales Police, said: "Daniel suffered a violent, unprovoked attack from Steven Chappell.
"Daniel didn’t represent any threat, and nothing happened that night that justified what Steven Chappell did to Daniel.
"Rather than walking away Steven Chappell’s anger resulted in the assault on Daniel being excessive, unnecessary, and completely reckless.
"This case shows what devastating consequences attacks of this nature can have. I would encourage others to think about how easily a decision can affect the rest of your life and potentially end someone else’s.
"Our thoughts remain with Daniel’s family and friends."
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