A PARANOID thug destroyed a pub in a bulldozer rampage over fears his wife was sleeping with regulars.
Daniel Morgan, 35, had been drinking in the boozer when he flew into a rage at the punters over “banter” about his breakdown.
Daniel Morgan destroyed a pub in a bulldozer rage Credit: WNS
He went on the rampage after falsely believing his wife was having affairs Credit: WNS
Morgan wrongly believed in a “paranoid way” that his wife had been having affairs with the landlord and regulars – and planned a revenge attack.
Prosecutor Jason Howells said he left the pub before messaging landlord Christopher Common to say: “Be careful, you can’t stop a dozer.”
The court heard Morgan also messaged: “It will be a drive-thru” after he left The New Inn in Cefn Rhigos near Aberdare, South .
Mr Howells said Morgan went to his father’s farm before he took the vintage Hanomag D600 bulldozer without permission in December.
Morgan was captured driving through Wales in the stolen machinery Credit: WNS
He has now been jailed for three years and four months Credit: PA
His father Phillip watched in horror from a window as his son ploughed through an Isuzu truck on the farm – and quickly called his nephew for help.
The pair made their way to the local boozer to alert the owners as punters exited into the car park when Morgan turned up.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard Morgan rammed into the porch causing £22,280.43 of damage – and costing £7,000 lost revenue for the weekend.
Morgan’s father Phillip “heroically” attempted to cut the diesel pipe on the engine in a bid to stop his son’s “revenge attack.”
Morgan had been drinking in the pub before he destroyed it Credit: Athena
He also smashed into a car while on the rampage Credit: WNS
Mr Howell’s said: “The defendant moved the bulldozer from side to side preventing anyone from getting close to it.”
The court heard Morgan left the pub to drive to the family home he had lived in with his estranged wife.
His father, uncle and cousin attempted to block the road with a digger before he finally came to stop “covered in blood.”
The court heard arrived to find Morgan “heavily intoxicated” in the driver’s seat while bleeding from his head and hands.
Morgan was taken to hospital where he told officers: “This is all because my ex won’t let me see the kids.”
He also said he “saw red” when he drove the bulldozer over his family’s vehicles.
The court heard victim Mr Common said he believed Morgan was not in the right frame of mind due to “personal issues.”
Mr Howells said: “He does not believe the defendant would have acted this way and caused the damage if he had been in the right frame of mind.”
The landlord said he believed Morgan was “acting weird” due to his mental health – and would usually help anyone in the village.
The court heard Morgan had began drinking six pints a day and using £100 of cocaine every day due to his relationship breakdown.
Morgan, of Rhigos, Aberdare, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving; and damaging property being reckless as to whether life is endangered.
Judge Celia Hughes said Morgan was finally stopped due to the “incredible bravery” of his own family members.
She said: “What you did on the night of this incident will have grave affects on you and others close to you for the rest of your life.
“You acted out of revenge albeit impetuously that night and I accept that was out of character for you.”
Morgan was jailed for three years and four months and disqualified from driving for four years and must take an extended test.
He was ordered to pay £10,000 to Mr Common.
After the sentence, Ryan Randall, of the CPS, said: “Daniel Morgan showed a complete disregard for the safety of other people who could have been in the pub.
“This wasn’t an accidental collision, but a threatened action which was then carried out, not only damaging a building and vehicles, but stopping a business from trading and impacting on the livelihoods of the landlord and farmer.
“Strong evidence presented by the resulted in guilty pleas.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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