It was said Dominic Janes had 'inherited a family feud' with various members of the Traveller community and the defendant had described the incident as a 'cultural misunderstanding'
17:31, 15 Jan 2026
A teenage boy threatened to "drive a family out of Cardiff" while wielding an axe after he "inherited a family feud" in the traveller community. The teenager was part of a group which attacked a caravan as the owner was watching television in bed, and cars were driven into vehicles before his mother was injured in the melee.
Dominic Janes, 18, was among a group of people involved in a disturbance at Shirenewton caravan site in St Mellons, Cardiff, on November 24, 2024, which was described as a "revenge attack" on Michael O'Brien and his family. Mr O'Brien was in bed watching television when he heard a noise outside of windows smashing.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard Janes and a group of others were outside. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.
He shouted at the victim: "I am going to show you what I am going to do with you now." The defendant was waving an axe and shouted at Mr O'Brien that he was "going to kill him".
Others drove vehicles at parked cars belonging to Mr O'Brien and his family, causing serious damage. Janes threw a cane at Mr O'Brien and said: "I am going to kill you stone dead, all of you will have to leave Cardiff. You think I care about the police? I am bare faced."
Mr O'Brien's parents came out to see what the disturbance was and his mother suffered injuries to her ankle after Janes threw something at her.
In a statement read to the court by prosecutor Byron Broadstock Mr O'Brien described how fearful he and his family were. He said: "Myself and the whole family have had issues with the Janes family and their associates for years.
"I lived in fear they would attack my family and that has not changed. I am worried they will seek revenge and violence will happen again.
"They came with weapons and injured my mother, rammed our caravan and cars and caused mindless damage. I wish my family will be left alone and the place I live to feel safe once more."
Janes and a second defendant Tommy-Joe Janes, 20, were also involved in an incident at a Lifestyle Express store in Wentloog Road, Rumney, on December 8, 2023, when they attacked Tony Coffee and Michael Doran, who had entered the shop.
CCTV showed the two groups of men throwing punches at each other, picking crates to throw at each other before Dominic Janes pulled out a machete and began swinging it at Mr Doran.
Dominic Janes then chased Mr Doran with the weapon as Tommy-Joe Janes continued throwing crates. The brothers then ran away as Mr Coffee took bottles of wine from the store and threw it at them.
Dominic Janes and Tommy-Joe Janes, both of New Road, Rumney, later pleaded guilty to affray, while Dominic Janes pleaded guilty to a second count of affray and possession of an offensive weapon.
The court heard both defendants have convictions for battery with Tommy-Joe Janes also having a conviction for criminal damage.
In mitigation it was said Dominic Janes had "inherited a family feud" with various members of the Traveller community and the defendant had described the incident as a "cultural misunderstanding".
It was also said Dominic Janes was a "talented boxer" who had represented Wales in fights against boxers representing England and Scotland.
James Hartson, for Tommy-Joe Janes, said there was a "positive and realistic prospect of rehabilitation" in his client's case.
Addressing Dominic Janes, Judge Shomon Khan said: "This was some sort of revenge attack, trying to drive this family out of Cardiff. You said you would kill Michael O'Brien and didn't care about the police. This family just wants to live their lives without fear of a revenge attack."
Dominic Janes was sentenced to 14 months detention in a young offenders institute. Tommy-Joe Janes was sentenced to one year detention in a young offenders institute, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work.
Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.