A man who embedded staples into a baseball bat and used it to strike his step-father in the face was sentenced on Monday. Deacon Watkins, 21, of Beechfield Avenue, Newport, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding after the attack in late February 2024.
Attack Inspired by Violent Video Games
Prosecutor Paul Hewitt told Cardiff Crown Court that Watkins, then aged 19, confronted John Smithson as he returned home with fish and chips. Watkins brandished the bat and ordered Smithson to “get out of the house.” When Smithson returned for his car keys, Watkins struck him once, causing bleeding, severe swelling, and bruising on the bridge of his nose and eye.
Smithson attended hospital with blurred vision. A CT scan showed no fractures, but he sustained a severe wound to his eye and was referred to specialists. He made a “somewhat full” recovery but was warned of potential future eye problems, including a detached retina.
Defence Cites Video Game Influence
Defending Watkins, Kevin Seal said his client had shown “genuine remorse” and had “matured somewhat in the last couple of years.” He stressed that Watkins embedded the staples himself, but there was “nothing sinister behind that,” such as drug dealing. Instead, he attributed the act to “watching too many video games of a violent nature,” though he added this was “not an excuse.” He described Watkins as a “young fit man who is capable and intelligent.”
Sentence and Judge's Remarks
Recorder Andrew Hammond noted that Smithson had written to the court expressing a wish not to see his stepson imprisoned. However, the judge called the embedding of staples a “noteworthy and disturbing feature of the case.” He sentenced Watkins to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, citing a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation.” Watkins must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also pay a £187 surcharge, and the weapon was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.
