A violent student smashed a window at his ex partner’s home and went on to repeatedly kick her to the head to the point she thought she was going to be killed. He had earlier been found in possession of more than £3,000 worth of cannabis.
Isiah Queeley, 27, turned up at the home of his former partner in Cardiff at around 8.25pm on February 9 last year and started banging on her door. A neighbour came out and told the defendant to go away, but he told her “Shut up you tramp, you aren’t a big man”.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard the defendant smashed the victim’s window and climbed into her property with a “crazed look in his eyes”. Queeley assaulted the victim by kicking her to the floor as she put her hands over her head to protect herself.
The defendant kicked his ex partner to the back of her head and her arms, and she thought Queeley was going to kill her. She told him to get off but he carried on attacking her for five minutes. He took the victim outside and was seen by another neighbour to kick her with force. The defendant also caused damage to her phone and hoover. The victim suffered bruises to her body.
Prosecutor Kathryn Lane said Queeley was also to be dealt with for drug offences after he was stopped by police while driving in Roath on January 2, 2023, and found in possession of cannabis. A search of his vehicle and of his home on January 3, 2023, resulted in the seizure of a total of 309g of cannabis and 4.8g of cocaine, with a purity of 79%. Ms Lane said the value of the drugs was between £2,400 and £3,090.
Also seized were two black iPhones, and £119 in cash. The phones were examined and revealed the defendant was involved in supplying cannabis, designer strands of the drug and edibles, and trading in high end watches with others. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here
Queeley, of Helen Place, Adamsdown, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, burglary, criminal damage, possession with intent to supply class B drugs, and possession of class A drugs. The court heard he was of previous good character.
In mitigation, defence barrister Kirsten Murphy said there had been no previous incidents of domestic violence between her client and the victim. She said the defendant was a student studying business and accountancy, and had previously been attacked and stabbed repeatedly. As a result of this he was placed on strong medication, and was drinking alcohol at the same time.
Sentencing, Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant said the victim had an expectation to feel safe in her own home but the defendant had “invaded” her place of safety. He sentenced Queeley to a total of 25 months imprisonment, of which he will serve half in custody before he is released to serve the remainder on licence. The defendant was also made subject to a restraining order for seven years.
If you, a family member, or a friend have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can contact the Live Fear Free helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free advice and support, or to talk through your options. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 0786 007 7333, email info@livefearfreehelpline.wales or go to gov.wales/live-fear-free
Live Fear Free (funded by Welsh Government and run by Welsh Women’s Aid) is a confidential service. Calls to 0808 80 numbers are free to call from landlines and mobile phones in the UK. They do not appear on itemised bills. The helpline provides support in English and Welsh, and access to an interpreter for callers with language support needs.
The Refuge charity also provides information, support and practical help 24 hours a day to women experiencing domestic violence. The service can refer women and children to refuges throughout the UK to help them escape domestic abuse. Refuge can be called on 0808 808 9999.
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