Pub brawl sees man gouge sufferer’s eye and repeatedly punch girl

Covie Hallam-Rose, 26, Molly Geoghegan, 27, and Jack Trigg, 27, and Phillip Kavangh, 35, were involved in sickening violence at the Royal Oak pub in Cardiff

A man lost the sight in his eye after a sickening brawl with chairs and glasses. The fight broke out in a pub and sickening violence was used which ended with one of the victims suffering a loss of sight after his attacker’s thumb was pressed into his eye.

Covie Hallam-Rose, 26, Molly Geoghegan, 27, and Jack Trigg, 27, were drinking at the Royal Oak pub in Cardiff on April 2, 2023, when they became involved in an argument with a woman sitting at another table. One of the women in the group gestured towards them, accompanied with the use of a racial slur.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday heard Hallam-Rose went towards the group, as others tried to restrain him, but he had “completely lost it”. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.

Geoghegan threw a drink at the woman and then threw her glass as the fight escalated at the Whitchurch pub.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Daniel Williams said: “You (Hallam-Rose) took a leading role in the violence that followed. It’s a sad truth that you engaged in needless violence with others who represented no physical threat to you at all.”

Hallam-Rose took Steven Nicholas to the floor and deliberately pressed his thumb into his left eye, in what was described by Judge Williams as a “needless and cynical act of violence.

The defendant was restrained and briefly left the pub before re-entering and “laying into” a middle-aged woman who had attempted to calm Geoghegan down, report WalesOnline.

Judge Williams said: “First you delivered a forceful uppercut and reigned two blows upon this woman who is utterly defenceless.

Hallam-Rose was restrained and left the pub with Trigg, but they remained outside and threw glasses and chairs at the door, causing extensive damage to the pub.

Phillip Kavanagh, 35, was initially acting as a peacemaker but he lost his temper and became involved in an altercation with Trigg, who had also tried to diffuse the situation.

After throwing the glass, Geoghegan put her handbag down and threw full force punches towards the woman who was later assaulted by Hallam-Rose, her then boyfriend.

Judge Williams said: “This was outrageous violence.”

Hallam-Rose, of Radyr Court Close, Llandaff, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and affray.

Geoghegan, of Heol y Cadno, Thornhill; and Trigg, of Kennilworth Court, Fairwater, Cardiff both pleaded guilty to affray, while Kavanagh, of Bryn Heulog, Whitchurch, was found guilty of affray following a trial.

In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Harry Baker, Mr Nicholas said: “Since this incident I haven’t been out socialising as much as I used to do and I’m apprehensive if there are a lot of rowdy people around.

“I had three operations in April 2023, and my detached retina was repaired and the bleeding and lens from that eye was removed. I was released from hospital with medication and eye drops and a new lens was inserted to replace the damaged lens… I am worried something could happen to my good eye.”

In mitigation, Sol Hartley, for Hallam-Rose, said his client did not intend to cause serious harm and “bitterly regrets” his actions. The barrister described the acts as “out of character” and has not reoffended since.

Mr Hartley, also for Trigg, said the defendant has “genuine remorse” but stated he did not cause serious injury. He said Trigg has motivation to change his behaviour, for his children.

Cat Jones, for Geoghegan, said her client is a young mother and she acted “out of character”, but has not re-offended. The defendant was said to be “deeply remorseful and deeply embarrassed”.

Josh Scouller, for Kavanagh, said his client was not initially part of the violence which took place and he became involved in order to defend his mother and father.

Judge Williams sentenced Hallam-Rose to 27 months imprisonment.

Trigg was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work, a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement, and to pay costs of £500.

Geoghegan was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 160 hours unpaid work and a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Kavanagh was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 180 hours unpaid work, a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £1,000 and to pay £500 in costs.