Man was celebrating his birthday, then Matthew Farmer left him with a bleed on the brain

A man was left with serious head and facial injuries following an attack outside a pub. Matthew Farmer, aged 35, caused the wounds with a single punch near the Claude in Roath, Cardiff.

The victim was celebrating his 25th birthday with a group of friends at around 11.20pm on Saturday, April 27, when Farmer assaulted him outside the pub in Albany Road. "He received a single punch and fell to the pavement," said Detective Constable Dafydd Beck.

The victim's injuries included a double-fractured jaw and a bleed on the brain. Two days later CCTV was circulated through local press and social media, which quickly led to Matthew Farmer being identified as a suspect. "Arrest enquiries were made but Farmer was not at home and his Fiat camper van was also missing," said DC Beck. "His vehicle was circulated on the Police National Computer and on April 29, the same day as the press appeals, it was stopped in Folkestone, Kent, close to the Eurotunnel, and Farmer was arrested.” For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here

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Farmer was taken back to Cardiff and later pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to an 18-month custodial sentence and a 10-year restraining order. DC Beck said: “Thankfully the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening, but the impact on him has been physical, emotional, and financial due to being off work while he recovers from surgery. We wish him and his family well as they continue to regain their confidence and recover from this appalling incident.

“We see time and again how one punch can cause devastating injuries and a lifetime of regret. South Wales Police is committed to tackling violent crime and reducing the numbers of victims and perpetrators, but we need people to really think about their actions and lifestyle and what may be causing them to become violent.”

South Wales Police thanked the press and public for supporting the investigation. You can read more about the force's One Punch campaign here.