CAERPHILLY MAN JAILED FOR DRUNKEN VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM
Dafydd Merkel, a 36-year-old resident of Caerphilly, caused significant disruption after returning home intoxicated following a rugby match on February 26.Ignoring pleas from his partner to stay at her mother’s house, Merkel became increasingly hostile upon entering her residence.
He knocked relentlessly on her bedroom door, which she tried to keep closed, and ultimately broke it off its hinges by punching it.
The door fell near her bed, and he proceeded to damage her home further by smashing a mirror.
Additionally, Merkel injured her car by putting a hole in the windscreen and made threats to vandalize her shop.
Police were summoned following his violent outburst.
Prosecutor Andrew Kendal detailed that Merkel threw a vacuum cleaner and shattered a mirror in the living room, and after he left, the woman noticed several broken windows and doors.
At Cardiff Crown Court, Merkel was seen staggering as he entered the courtroom.
He has more than 35 previous convictions, including offenses like dangerous driving, failing to stop, and driving while disqualified.
Investigations revealed further crimes: on June 4, he fled from a petrol station in Bargoed without paying for £30 worth of fuel; he was also found to be driving without insurance and while disqualified.
On June 12, police discovered his vehicle fitted with false number plates registered to an address in Scotland.
Merkel admitted to multiple charges, including criminal damage, threatening criminal damage, driving while disqualified, driving uninsured, theft of services, and possession of false plates.
His lawyer stated that Merkel was not physically violent toward his partner or her children and blamed alcohol for his behavior.
The judge condemned his conduct as 'appalling' and sentenced him to 16 months imprisonment, along with an indefinite restraining order prohibiting contact.
