Man Jailed After Beating Friend and Forcing Him to Walk Naked Through Welsh Village

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A man who assaulted his friend before parading him naked through a Welsh village has been sentenced to more than two years in prison.

Swansea Crown Court heard that 42-year-old Karl Griffiths subjected his friend and the friend’s partner to a violent ordeal in Penclawdd, a village on the Gower Peninsula, during an incident that left the victim both physically and psychologically scarred.

The court was told that the events unfolded during a gathering at a flat on January 30. Prosecutors said Griffiths, likely under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances at the time, accused the couple of stealing from him. He seized their mobile phones and began a brutal attack, using a pair of crutches to strike them while shouting abuse.

Public Humiliation

The violence escalated when Griffiths forced his male friend to strip, telling him they were “going for a walk.” He then marched the man, completely naked, through the streets of the village. Onlookers reportedly recorded the humiliating spectacle on their phones, with the disturbing footage later forming part of the evidence in court.

The group returned to the flat after the walk, but the situation deteriorated. Griffiths destroyed a television and made a threatening call to the police, telling them: “Someone better come and get me, I’m going to kill someone.”

Upon arrest, Griffiths admitted to striking his friend, claiming he had only delivered “a clip” and “a few punches.” He said he’d gone to the flat following a row with his mother. The defendant later pleaded guilty to charges of battery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage, and kidnapping.

In a statement read aloud by the prosecution, the victim described the long-lasting emotional impact of the ordeal. He said he no longer felt safe in his own home and had suffered mentally as a result of the public humiliation and physical assault. Despite this, he did not support the prosecution and expressed hope for reconciliation.

Griffiths’ legal representative, James Hartson, said the level of violence and degradation could not be justified under any circumstances. He acknowledged that the defendant had acted out of misplaced anger and said the mobile footage showed clearly how distressed the victim had been.

The court also heard that Griffiths had a lengthy criminal history, including offences related to burglary, dishonesty, possession of weapons, and supplying Class A drugs.

In sentencing, Judge Huw Rees said Griffiths’ behaviour was “irrational,” likely fuelled by alcohol or narcotics. However, he noted that several character references spoke of Griffiths as a man known for kindness, which made the actions all the more disturbing.

Griffiths was sentenced to 31 months in prison. His barrister said he hoped his client’s friend would one day find it in his heart to forgive him.

The disturbing incident has raised concerns among residents of Penclawdd, many of whom witnessed the public degradation and filmed it on their phones. While no further arrests have been made, police say the footage has helped support the case and reaffirm the importance of community cooperation in difficult circumstances.