'Horror movie' attack man guilty

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A man with a history of violence has been found guilty of an attempted murder which left the victim's house looking like a "horror movie" scene.

James O'Driscoll, 66, of Cardiff, hit Paul Clarke with a hammer, scalded him and threatened him with castration.

He denied the charge at Cardiff Crown Court but was warned he faces life in jail when he is sentenced on Friday.

Co-accused Mohammed Dakare, 18, of Butetown, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The court heard the pair were waiting for Mr Clarke at his home in Cathays when he returned from hospital after visiting his partner, Christine Cox, with whom he lived, in the early hours of 30 April, 2008.

Mr Clarke had previously accused Ms Cox of stabbing him and had made a statement to police, which he later withdrew.

Blood was smeared on the walls, pools of blood were found around the victim, there were deep wounds to his head and general chaos Martyn Kelly, prosecutor

The jury was told O'Driscoll accused Mr Clarke of being a "grass" and, with Dakare, subjected Mr Clarke to a three-hour torture session.

Martyn Kelly, prosecuting, said Mr Clarke was attacked with scissors and garden shears and the house in Treharris Street was strewn with broken objects which had been smashed on him.

Mr Kelly said: "Blood was smeared on the walls, pools of blood were found around the victim, there were deep wounds to his head and general chaos."

He said Mr Clarke's trousers had been pulled down to expose his buttocks and the victim recalled "there was talk of castrating him".

Mr Clarke told the court: "I knew I was going to die - 100%."

Previous convictions

He was eventually able to escape by kicking a neighbour's window to attract attention.

The court heard his wounds led to an infection that caused him to lose a testicle.

Dakare was cleared of attempted murder, but found guilty of causing Mr Clarke grievous bodily harm with intent.

The jury of 10 men and two women unanimously found O'Driscoll guilty of attempted murder.

Both men had denied all the charges they faced.

The court hearing on Tuesday was told O'Driscoll was previously charged with murdering another man, Phillip Bannan, in November 2006.

The defendant's son admitted murdering Mr Bannan by beating him and pouring sugared water on him.

The court heard O'Driscoll, who used 20 aliases and three different dates of birth, was found not guilty of the killing because although he was present, there was no evidence he was involved in the death.

Mr Kelly said O'Driscoll's previous convictions included causing grievous bodily harm to an 80-year-old man, for which he was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment in 1985. He was released in 1993.

Judge Patrick Curran QC warned O'Driscoll, whose wife died of cancer four years ago, that he faces life imprisonment or an indeterminate sentence for public protection.