Rugby Player Jailed for Stamping on Head of Rival

A rugby player who deliberately stamped on the head of an opponent during a match was jailed for 15 months yesterday.

Rhys Garfield, 22, of Pontycymmer, south Wales, was playing for his village team when he stamped on the head of Gareth Howells, 21, who was playing for the home side, Glynneath.

Swansea crown court was told how Garfield, described as a promising player, had stamped on Howells' head during the match in December 2005, causing a four-inch gash which needed 30 stitches. Recorder Gareth Jones told Garfield his behavior was "wholly unacceptable". Garfield had earlier been cleared by the jury of a more serious charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Howells was playing as a second row for Glynneath while Garfield was Pontycymer's number eight. Early on in the game a ruck developed when Howells went to ground following a line-out. Garfield was then seen deliberately to stamp on the head of Howells, the court heard.

Andrew Davies, defending, asked the judge to consider a suspended sentence and said Garfield had led an otherwise blameless life. Davies said the incident was out of character and Garfield had shown genuine remorse. "Rhys Garfield is a young man of considerable ability. He's a talented sportsman who had attracted the attention of regional rugby teams."

He described Howells' permanent injuries as "cosmetic" and said that he had returned to playing the game.

But the judge said only a custodial sentence would be appropriate.

After Garfield was found guilty last month, Howells explained his decision to press charges: "I did not want the same thing to happen to another player, and the verdict goes to show you cannot get away with that sort of thing.

"I know people can overstep the line in rugby and become aggressive, but this was beyond that. I did not want this person to get away with that."

The Welsh Rugby Union said there was no place for violence in the game. A spokesman added: "If any individual breaks the law, on or off the sports pitch, clearly, if that case is proven, all the penalties available to the court including imprisonment may be imposed."