Man armed with an axe tried to track down a driver he had assaulted in Llandrindod Wells on New Year's Day

A man who armed himself with an axe before trying to hunt down a driver he had assaulted at Llandrindod Wells lake on New Year's Day, has avoided prison.

Members of the public including a 21 month-old toddler were forced to flee the beauty spot on New Year's Day this year after George Thompson began shouting and holding the axe.

The 31 year-old had already attacked Wayne Simcock in the town, dragging him by his coat down a grassy embankment, after Mr Simcock beeped his horn at Thompson who was driving on the wrong side of the road.

At Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Tuesday, September 22, Thompson was sentenced for assault, affray, dangerous driving and possession of a bladed article – the wooden axe.

Prosecuting, Mr Harry Dickens, said at about 12.15pm on January 1 2026, Mr Simcock was driving through Llandrindod Wells when he saw Thompson driving towards him on the wrong side of the road.

He beeped his horn and pulled in. Thompson drove alongside Mr Simcock, overtook him and back towards him, stopping his car alongside Mr Simcock, blocking him in. He then got out of his car, grabbed Mr Simcock by the coat and dragged him down a grassy embankment, which caused two fractures to the 56 year-old's shoulder.

After Mr Simcock got on top of Thompson he said 'ok, that's enough', Mr Simcock asked why Thompson had approached his vehicle on the wrong side and threatened him.

Mr Simcock returned to his car, as did Thompson. Thompson then drove at Mr Simcock's car, he did not collide with him but he swerved away and drove at speed.

Mr Dixon said Mr Simcock then drove to Llandrindod Wells lake where he was due to collect someone but when he got there two or three minutes later he saw Thompson drive to the area, brake suddenly by a barrier on the one way system and reversed quickly to a parked vehicle which he thought was Mr Simcock's.

Thompson then got out of his car and was holding a wooden axe and was shouting. He was very angry and was looking around for five or ten minutes.

Many members of the public witnessed the incident including families with young children and some ran off, jumping over fences to get away.

Thompson drove off as someone could be heard shouting 'what is your problem'. One witness rang the police from the boathouse.

Police attended including a firearms unit and they later arrested Thompson at his home. He said after the initial incident he went to his house to get an axe to go after Mr Simcock to confront him.

The court was told in interview Thompson answered no comment but gave a prepared statement saying he understood he had been arrested and he denied the assault, saying Mr Simcock got out of his car first and he was angry and threw him down the embankment. He did not remember making any threats.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins was told Mr Simcock later went to A and E and two light fractures were discovered on x-ray.

In personal statements Mr Simcock said he and his wife are now reluctant to into town because they fear they may bump into Thompson, they fear repercussions and now lock their doors, they have changed their routines and Mr Simcock was still receiving treatment for his shoulder in June.

He said he has missed his sporting life and hopes the defendant receives some sort of help in the future.

Mitigating, Mr Joshua Scouller said Thompson was a young man who had offended badly but he was in dire need of assistance.

He said he had pleaded guilty to affray, possession of the axe and dangerous driving at the magistrates court and he admitted the assault two weeks before a planned trial.

Mr Scouller said: “He is enormously remorseful for his behaviour on that day and he now recognises just how bad his mental health had become. He had been a carer for his grandmother but she left for Ireland at Christmas. She was due to return to the home they shared but she has been too illl and he has not seen her since then. He did not take the time to reflect on that.

“There has not been any further offending. He has suffered a great deal of trauma during his life including the separation of his parents, a car crash in which he was injured and several bereavements including that of his father in 2018. That is not an excuse but it goes some way to explain why he behaved in that way.”

He said a pre-sentence report and psychiatric report express concerns about the impact on him if he was sent to prison.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins said after the initial assault on Mr Simcock; “You went home, armed yourself with an axe and went looking for Mr Simcock with the axe. You got out in public and you were shouting and were obviously deranged. Members of the public began to disperse in fear.”

He said the offences crossed the custody threshold but the pre-sentence report and psychiatric report said he was depressed, suffering with anxiety and the effects of sleeplessness and expressed concerns about the impact on him if he was sent to prison.

Judge Jenkins said if was for that reason alone that he did not send him to prison.

He gave him a total of 14 months in prison including eight months for the assault consecutive, six months for dangerous driving, eight months for the axe concurrent and four months for the affray concurrent, but he suspended it for 18 months.

Thompson was banned for driving for three years and will have to pass an extended driving test.

He will have to complete 25 rehabilitation days, pay £500 compensation to Mr Simcock for his unnecessary and painful injuries, £150 costs and a victim surcharge.

Judge Jenkins ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the axe and made a two year restraining order banning Thompson from going near Mr Simcock.