WOMAN CALLED HER EX TO ASK FOR HELP AND THEN LAUGHED AS HE WAS ATTACKED
A woman reacted with laughter as her former partner was assaulted in a brutal, premeditated attack, which was orchestrated by Summer Marl-Brock, her cousin David Brock, and Aaron Evans.According to evidence presented at Mold Crown Court, the trio planned the assault on Benjamin Edwards, before Brock and Evans carried out the attack while he was in his car.
Prosecutor Jemma Gordan explained that Brock bit Mr Edwards on the face through the driver side door of his vehicle, while Evans assaulted him through the passenger side.
The incident was captured on video by Marl-Brock, who was heard laughing during the attack, as reported by North Wales Live.
The assault continued until Marl-Brock was satisfied that Mr Edwards had been sufficiently attacked.
She was heard to tell Brock to stop, as the situation was escalating beyond control, according to Judge Simon Mills.
Brock, aged 38 from High Street, Mold, appeared via videolink from prison.
Evans, aged 34 from Moorfields, Holway, Holywell, and Marl-Brock, aged 21 from Hall Street, Rhos, Wrexham, all admitted to Section 18 wounding with intent in connection with the incident on August 17, 2024.
Brock pleaded guilty before Evans and Marl-Brock.
The court heard that Marl-Brock and Mr Edwards had been together for about a year, with accusations of violence from both sides, which ultimately led to the breakup in acrimony.
Marl-Brock had been discussing this relationship-threatening behaviour with others, which was cited as a trigger for the attack.
Brock had sent a hostile message to Mr Edwards asking, “who do you think you are hitting my cousin Summer?” and when Mr Edwards attempted to calm Brock, another threatening message was sent.
On the evening of the assault, Marl-Brock contacted Mr Edwards claiming she had been drinking and was alone.
Concerned, Mr Edwards agreed to meet her halfway at shops in Ewloe.
Unbeknownst to him, Marl-Brock was with David Brock and Aaron Evans that night, and they had spent time planning the assault.
Witnesses reported they were lying in wait for Mr Edwards.
During the escape attempt, Mr Edwards crashed his vehicle before eventually fleeing and involving the police.
He sustained injuries including facial bruising, swelling, a small jaw fracture, bite marks, and an ear wound.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Edwards described suffering from nightmares, sleep issues, social anxiety, panic attacks, and scarring linked to the attack.
The judge noted Brock’s extensive criminal record 14 convictions for 29 offenses including assault and possession of offensive weapons and observed that this attack marked a significant escalation in his violent behaviour.
Evans had 31 convictions for 54 offenses, such as assault, shoplifting, drug possession, and racially aggravated assault.
Marl-Brock had a single driving conviction.
Defending for Evans and Brock highlighted their clients’ early guilty pleas, substance use issues, mental health diagnoses, and personal circumstances, including family and health problems.
Judge Mills concluded that each defendant played a role in a particularly savage assault carried out in the early hours of August 17.
The video evidence was described as shocking, especially the biting, which was considered a chilling aspect of the case, with Mr Edwards having no chance to defend himself inside the car.
Evans was sentenced to six years and three months in prison, with two-thirds to be served.
Brock received a seven-year and two-month sentence, with an extended three-year license period upon release, as he was considered a substantial risk to public safety.
Marl-Brock was sentenced to 54 months, with early release on license after serving two-thirds of her sentence.
All three were ordered to avoid contact with the victim for 15 years and to pay a statutory surcharge.
