A man who attacked a woman with a hammer and strangled her has been jailed for life, following a South Wales Police investigation.
Following guilty pleas, Connor Probert, aged 26, of Penygraig, was sentenced to life with a minimum of two years and 283 days for Grievous Bodily Harm with intent on July 11 at Cardiff Crown Court. He also received concurrent sentences for intentional strangulation (two years and three months) and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place (one year).
Probert will also be subject to a lifelong restraining order.
This followed an incident on February 17, 2024, at 6.30pm when Probert attended an appointment for a massage with a company in Cathays, having booked it half an hour earlier.
After finishing the treatment, the masseuse went to leave the room, however she was pulled back from the door by Probert and hit over the head with a hammer. Probert continued to strike the victim again while she attempted to pull the hammer out of his hands.
She managed to get hold of the hammer and hit him with it before he proceeded to strangle her. The assault was interrupted when the son of the victim visited the shop, having planned to meet his mother.
She managed to escape the shop and call 999. Officers attended and Probert was located inside the bathroom, still in possession of the hammer.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Alex Lloyd said:
“This was a callous and sustained attack that left the victim fearing for her life and has had a significant impact on her career.
“I am pleased to see this sentence and hope it helps the victim find some closure from a terrifying ordeal.”
