Conor Melinn’s wife supported him as he appeared in court on Valentine’s Day to admit assault
A PUB-GOER punched a man and knocked him out after he touched his wife in a busy town centre bar, a court heard.
Conor Melinn, 30, and his wife have been together since they were 15 years old and have three young children, said defence solicitor Chris Cormack.
On Valentine’s Day, Melinn’s wife attended Cardiff’s Magistrates Court to support her husband as he admitted assaulting the man who put his hand on her back in the Borough Arms pub in Barry.
According to prosecutor Nick Evans, in a “completely unprovoked” assault, Melinn knocked out Daniel Caspelino at 11.30pm on the evening of October 29, 2022.
The court was shown footage of Melinn throwing a single punch that connected with Mr Caspelino’s jaw, causing him to fall and hit his head on the dancefloor.
Mr Cormack argued that Mr Caspelino had made Melinn’s wife feel uncomfortable on multiple occasions throughout the night.
Mr Caspelino had “put his hand on the lower part of her back or perhaps a little lower,” said Mr Cormack.
“It is only normal for people to become defensive over a wife or partner,” he said. “Just because you make one decision to deliver one blow, it does not mean you need rehabilitation. It was a mistake.”
Soon after the assault, Melinn was escorted out of the bar by security, the court heard.
Reading from Mr Caspelino’s victim impact statement, Mr Evans said: “It has knocked his confidence and he no longer feels safe going out and taking part in the night-time economy.”
Mr Caspelino was still experiencing pain in his jaw weeks later, said Mr Evans.
However, while Melinn did react poorly, there was no malicious intent behind the punch, said Mr Cormack.
The prosecution pointed out that Melinn has six prior convictions for eight offences, including one offence of battery and two offences of causing grievous bodily harm.
Mr Cormack said: “His previous convictions have been spent.”
Magistrate James Thomas ordered Conor Melinn of Llywn y Gog, Rhoose, to pay £655 in total, which he will pay back at a rate of £50 per month.
