We’re not going to let these people make us scared, says man with a bleed on the brain and skull fractures
WARNING: contains images some people may find distressing
A BARRY man who was viciously assaulted on his way to the shops spoke out about his ordeal the day before going in for surgery.
Kaspian Oaken, who had an operation to repair his eye and now has a metal plate in his skull, wants to help others who have faced similar experiences.
Mr Oaken was walking through a residential area listening to music when a man wearing a grey tracksuit came towards him and began punching him in the face.
“It was so quick and so sudden that I didn’t really have the time to defend myself. I have wounds on my hands from where I had my hands up to try and hide my face,” said the 39-year-old.
After the attack, at around 6pm on February 1, Mr Oaken tried to get home.
“I had a bit of an adrenaline rush at the time, so I didn’t know how bad my injuries were. I got halfway down the street before I collapsed. I didn’t have my phone on me either, so I couldn’t call for help.”
He was laid out on the floor for 25 minutes before two passers-by found him and drove him home.
Doctors at University Hospital Wales said he had suffered a bleed on the brain, multiple skull fractures, internal bruising, and a haematoma on his eye.
His injuries were so severe that he was admitted for a week to the Critical Decisions Unit – an emergency department for patients requiring close observation.
“I’ve never been involved in any sort of violence before and seeing that amount of blood was very scary. Going to hospital I thought it was just going to be bruising and obviously some damage to my eye,” he said.
“When they confirmed that I actually had a bleed in the brain and a concussion, I realised this is a really serious assault.”
Mr Oaken, who relocated from Plymouth to Barry last year, no longer goes out at night and must travel with someone else during the day.
“Although I was wearing a Rainbow Pride strap, as far as I’m concerned, it was just a mindless, violent attack as I don’t know anybody in the area,” said Mr Oaken.
Mr Oaken continues to volunteer for the LGBTQ+ Switchboard, a phone line providing members of the LGBTQ+ community a safe space to discuss sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotion well-being.
He says his ordeal has inspired him to help others who have found themselves in his position.
“It’s difficult to feel safe sometimes, but there are systems in place, whether it’s friends, family or support groups and that’s where the switchboard comes in.
“I’ve had the support from the LGBTQ+ community after my attack, and I’ve realised that we’re not going to let these people make us scared and knock us down.
“It’s about being strong, just getting on with things and not letting people like that win. It’s made me want to volunteer more, and to help people who have gone through similar things.”
“The reason I want to speak out is because I want to make people understand what’s happening. If a grown man can be attacked in that vicious way, then young girls or older people are even more at risk.”
Mr Oaken launched a GoFundMe appeal to help support him through his recovery. So far it has raised £2,086.
On it he says: “I have a bleed in the brain, multiple skull fractures, bruising and issues internally. This has prevented me from being able to work and earn money and the increased cost of travelling back and forth to different clinics and hospitals is adding up. I am worried about being able to pay my bills, buy food and just general living expenses.”
- If you would like to donate, you can do so here.
Police are urging anyone who saw the attack, between Court Road and Barry Road, to come forward.
A spokesperson for the South Wales Police said: “We are investigating an assault on a 39-year-old man which occurred on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The person responsible has been described as being a 6ft 1, white male who was wearing a full grey tracksuit, with a hood.
“Anybody who may have information is urged to contact 101 – please give reference 2500037539.”
