A 27-year-old man from Monkton has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a violent attack inside a caravan.

Zack High was found guilty of striking his victim and kicking him while he was on the ground, causing injuries including a broken hand and a potentially fractured jaw.

The court heard that on the night of January 29, the victim had been taken to a companion’s residence during the early hours because people were worried about his wellbeing. Earlier that evening, he had contacted authorities regarding money he owed someone.

The man then left to purchase cocaine. He was directed to a caravan and instructed to transfer payment electronically before receiving the drugs, which he did.

High was present inside the caravan with the person the victim had been communicating with.

The prosecution stated that a dispute arose between High and the victim concerning whether payment had already been made. The court was also informed that High was in a romantic relationship with the victim’s former partner.

High delivered two to three punches to the victim’s face, knocking him to the ground. The defendant then proceeded to kick him.

After the attack, the defendant made a video call to a companion. Since he had blood on his face, that person contacted the police.

Officers discovered the victim in Pembroke Dock. He initially declined to name his attacker but contacted police again two days afterwards.

Medical imaging showed the victim may have suffered a fracture to his upper jaw and a broken metacarpal bone. He also had severe bruising around his eye along with minor bruising to his back, neck, arms, and chest.

On February 13, armed response units and police dogs were deployed throughout Pembroke Dock as part of a planned operation involving various departments of Dyfed-Powys Police.

Four individuals were detained that day, with High being apprehended the subsequent day.

High, who resided at Anthem Court, acknowledged the offence.

The court was told he had accumulated 22 prior convictions spanning 43 separate offences and was currently under a suspended sentence order.

His barrister argued this represented an isolated occurrence, noting that only one of his prior convictions involved violence and that dated back to 2013 when he was a teenager. He explained that High had grown up within the care system and planned to engage with support services while incarcerated.

The judge described the assault as an extremely unpleasant, prolonged, and brutal attack.

In addition to the custodial sentence, High was made subject to a five-year restraining order.