A TEENAGER who savagely attacked a disabled woman in her own home during a terrifying robbery has been jailed for nine years.

Kyle Solowyk, 19, was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, May 21, for the brutal assault which saw him repeatedly punch and stamp on his wheelchair-bound neighbour at her Vale of Glamorgan home last November.

Solowyk, who has 33 previous convictions for 64 offences, stole £600 from Multiple Sclerosis sufferer Sian Thomas, 45, during the ordeal.

On November 28 last year at around 6pm Ms Thomas - who was diagnosed with MS 14 years ago - was relaxing in her specially adapted home when he door into her back garden opened and Solowyck appeared.

He briefly left and seconds later re-entered with his head and face covered saying he wanted to use the toilet.

Ms Thomas - who has known Kyle since he was around nine years old - said he appeared "agitated" and as though he was "under the influence of something".

Struggling out of bed, she saw Solowyk searching through her towels and clothing in the bathroom asking where she kept her money.

Solowyk then punched her to the face, causing her to fall onto the bed where he punched her several more times.

Telling his victim that he had a knife, he instructed her to stay down before stamping on her stomach.

After Solowyk feld from the scene with £600, Ms Thomas - blood streaming from her face - screamed out to her 70-year-old mother, who had been watching television in a different room.

Although he initially denied having any involvement, Solowyk, of Dryden Terrace, Barry, eventually pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and assault.

The court heard that had numerous previous offences for assault, criminal damage, theft and robbery.

Defending Solowyk in court Steven Thomas said that now that his client was "sober and drug free" he was able to reflect on what he had done and was "deeply remorseful and ashamed" calling the attack "the worst thing you could do to someone".

Judge Philip Richards said: "Maybe that would be an exaggeration, but not a great exaggeration."

Sentencing Solowyk to nine years imprisonment the Judge said: "This was a particularly horrific offence directed towards a lady who has had appallingly bad luck in her life, suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and all the agony that causes.

"You went into her bedroom in order to rob her to feed your addiction to illegal drugs. There you unmercifully beat her up.

"This is a case which is aggravated because you targeted a victim who you know to be vulnerable and ill."

Continuing on to describe the psychological trauma this incident has caused his victim, Judge Richard explained that the nine-year jail sentence - of which Solowyk will serve half in prison - is a chance for him to turn his life around.

"You, at the young age of 19," he said, "Have already committed far more offences than many offenders twice your age and far more than many will commit through their lives.

"The only way of dealing with you is to at least give you a further opportunity to learn lessons you should have learned a long time ago.

"And if you don't, your future is very black indeed."

Solowyk was also made the subject of restraining order.

Speaking after the case his victim Sian Thomas said she was delighted with the sentence and was glad to hear that Solowyk would be getting help.

"I don't hold a grudge," she said. "He's going to get some help which is what I've always wanted.

"I feel sorry for him, because of his behaviour and because of his drug addiction. I knew he had problems, it's sad for him and it's sad for his family."

Speaking about the effect the attack has had on her she said: "I don't like being on my own. I had to decorate the room, to make it feel a bit better."

Determinedly she added: "Nobody will ever, ever beat me. I'm a survivor and I'll carry on being a survivor.

"I've just got to get over it now."