Incident Overview
A man has been sentenced to prison after stealing a bulldozer and driving it into a pub while it was open to the public.
Daniel Morgan, 35, from Rhigos, admitted to charges including aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, and criminal damage recklessly endangering life.
On the evening of 4 December, police responded to reports that a bulldozer had driven over a parked car and crashed into The New Inn, located in the hamlet of Cefn Rhigos, Rhondda Cynon Taf. The incident caused significant damage to the pub's front porch and outside walls, with repair costs estimated at £22,000.
Sentencing and Judge's Remarks
Judge Celia Hughes sentenced Morgan to three years and four months in prison, describing the act as a "revenge attack" carried out with the "intention to cause criminal damage."
Background and Motive
The court heard that Morgan had been drinking at The New Inn when he became upset over comments regarding the breakdown of his marriage.
Following this, he left the pub and sent threatening text messages, including to the pub's owner, Christopher Common. The messages stated,
"be careful, you can't stop a 'dozer"and
"it will be a drive thru".
Common did not believe the threats were genuine and noted that Morgan had been facing "personal issues." However, Morgan proceeded to leave the pub and went to his father's farm to steal a bulldozer.
Sequence of Events
At 20:40 BST, Phillip Morgan observed Daniel driving the bulldozer through the farmyard and followed him in his own car.
CCTV footage revealed that as Daniel Morgan departed the farm, he collided with his brother's car, shunting it and causing it to flip over.
Phillip Morgan then went to The New Inn to warn Common and his wife about his son's actions, advising them to have patrons leave the premises, stating
"he couldn't stop him".
As members of the public exited, Daniel Morgan drove the bulldozer across the pavement and into the pub's porch, inflicting £22,000 worth of damage.
He subsequently drove away, heading toward the property where his estranged wife and children resided.
Phillip Morgan attempted to warn the family and tried to stop his son by blocking the path with a truck and trailer.
Instead of stopping, Daniel Morgan drove the bulldozer over the vehicles and continued onward.
He was ultimately stopped when his father operated a digger and damaged the bulldozer's cab sufficiently to force it to halt.
Aftermath and Arrest
Upon arrest, Daniel Morgan was found to be one and a half times over the legal alcohol limit for driving and was bleeding from his head and hands.
Phillip Morgan later told police he was "shocked" by his son's behaviour and stated that his
"son needs help".<
Community Response and Owner's Statement
A fundraiser was initiated shortly after the incident to support repairs at The New Inn.
Christopher Common, the pub owner, informed police that he believed the incident was
"totally out of character for Daniel".
Judge's Observations and Sentencing Details
During sentencing at Merthyr Crown Court, Judge Celia Hughes noted that at the time of the offence, Daniel Morgan was
"abusing cocaine"and consuming
"about six pints a day".
She stated,
"You acted out of revenge"and acknowledged the
"considerable damage was caused".
The judge also praised the
"bravery"of Phillip Morgan and others involved in the incident.
Judge Hughes accepted Morgan's remorse and credited him for his guilty plea, noting that he had since taken steps to address his substance abuse.
She referenced previous evidence of Morgan's
"strong work ethic"and his role as a
"family man".
The judge added,
"Since the breakdown of your marriage you had not had contact with your two children,"which contributed to his substance abuse issues.
Morgan received a 40-month prison sentence for criminal damage and recklessly endangering life, alongside 12-month sentences for aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving, both to run concurrently.
He was also disqualified from driving for three years and three months.
Prosecution Statement
Ryan Randall of the Crown Prosecution Service stated that Morgan demonstrated
"a complete disregard for the safety of other people who could have been in the pub".
He emphasized,
"This wasn't an accidental collision, but a threatened action which was then carried out, not only damaging a building and vehicles, but stopping a business from trading and impacting on the livelihoods of the landlord and farmer,"he said.
