This is the shocking moment two family factions brawled in a cemetery with machetes and axes in front of terrified mourners.
Clashes broke out at a cemetery after a high-speed chase culminated in chaos at Morriston Cemetery, Swansea, on August 5 last year.
Footage shows one of the men involved chasing someone in his truck through rows of tombstones before jumping up and running after him armed with a pickaxe handle.
He was joined by two other men who jumped out of the van wielding a hammer and brick, while others can be seen in the background holding machetes and wooden planks.
Dashcam footage of one of the vans involved shows it speeding past horrified members of the public, narrowly missing someone being pushed in a wheelchair.
The thugs were caught on dashcam attacking each other with weapons, including machetes and hammers.
James Coffey, 45, has been jailed for two years and three months for his role in the violence.
Now seven of the thugs involved in the violence have been jailed, with South Wales Police calling it a “appalling incident”.
Video of the violent scenes on August 5 last year was caught on the dash cam of James Coffey, 45, who has since been jailed for more than two years for his role.
It begins by showing him running for the driver’s side door of a van, while a black Volkswagen Golf skids and collides with another vehicle in the background.
Another camera in the truck shows two other people getting inside, as Coffey speeds down the cemetery driveway looking for another.
After getting out of the van, the two groups can be seen crashing, before Coffey returns to the vehicle with blood pouring from his head.
Two people were seriously injured in the incident, including a teenager who was taken to hospital after being stabbed.
Armed police were called to the scene by shocked members of the public, while video captured by onlookers showed chaos unfolding inside the cemetery.
The incident took place at a graveside blessing attended by both sides of the family, and violence erupted after a group of armed men arrived at the service. wales online reports.
Swansea Crown Court heard it was the latest in a long-running feud between several members of the extended family, with Judge Paul Thomas KC saying many of those involved had been on “high alert” for violence at the funeral. .
John Coffey (left) and Andrew John Thomas (right) were also jailed for their role in the ongoing clashes.
Jeffrey Tawse (left) and Patrick Joseph Murphy (right) were involved in the fight at the cemetery.
James Coffey was seen in the footage speeding through Morriston Cemetery in Swansea in his van.
At one point, Coffey was seen driving his truck at high speed near someone in a wheelchair.
He added that it was “beyond the realms of coincidence” that all those attending the service had weapons, including machetes, hammers, shovels and other implements “available to use” immediately when things turned violent.
James Coffey, 45, of Rumney, was jailed for two years and three months for violent disorder, possession of offensive weapons and dangerous driving.
Jeffrey Tawse, 24, of Rumney, was jailed for 18 months for violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
John Coffey, 24, of Rumney, was jailed for 18 months for violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Patrick Joseph Murphy, 40, of Llanelli, was jailed for two years and eight months for violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Andrew John Thomas, 40, of Llanelli, was jailed for three years for violent disorder and dangerous driving.
John Joe O’Brien, 53, of Llanelli, was jailed for 16 months for violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Martin John O’Brien, 58, of Llanelli, was jailed for 16 months for violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Paddy Murphy, 19, and John Murphy, 18, the teenage sons of Patrick Murphy, were given suspended jail sentences and ordered to do unpaid work.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Owens said: “This was an absolutely appalling incident that would have terrified those peacefully attending the cemetery in the middle of the day.”
“The group, in which everyone knows each other, committed violent crimes and were seen using weapons against each other.
“I hope that today’s sentences provide reassurance to the community that this type of criminal behavior will not be tolerated and anyone who commits these acts will face the consequences of their actions.
“The investigation team was steadfast in its commitment to fully investigate the disorder at the cemetery, working with other police forces to arrest and investigate the individuals involved.”
