A Swansea man already serving a prison sentence for killing a football fan with a single punch has had his jail time significantly increased after police discovered a large stash of cocaine in his kitchen.
Deadly assault and a drug discovery
Steven Vonk, 51, was arrested in July 2025 after he punched Timmy Matthews outside The Mill pub on Bryn-y-Mor Road. The unprovoked attack left Mr Matthews with catastrophic brain injuries, and he died two days later in hospital.
When officers went to Vonk's flat on Westbury Street to arrest him the day after the assault, they made a separate discovery. In a kitchen cupboard, they found a freezer bag containing 121 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of up to £9,680. Envelopes holding more than £900 in cash were also seized.
Claims of personal use rejected by jury
Vonk, who had already pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a three-year sentence in November 2025, denied possession with intent to supply the Class A drug. During his trial this week at Swansea Crown Court, he claimed he was a heavy user, consuming around 3.5 grams every other day, and that the haul was for his personal use.
The court heard that at his claimed usage rate, the cocaine would have lasted him approximately 80 days. Vonk, who is unemployed, stated he funded his habit through personal independence payment benefits and cash-in-hand work for a friend, such as pressure-washing and gardening.
After five hours and 22 minutes of deliberation, the jury rejected his account and found him guilty of possession with intent to supply.
A lengthy criminal record and consecutive sentence
Judge Paul Thomas KC informed the jury that Vonk had 28 previous convictions for 63 offences. This lengthy record included 14 counts of simple drug possession, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, dishonesty, numerous burglaries, and now manslaughter.
For the drug offence, Vonk was handed a two-and-a-half year prison term. Judge Thomas ordered this sentence to run consecutively to his existing three-year term for manslaughter, effectively almost doubling his total time behind bars.
The court was reminded of the tragic impact of Vonk's violence. In a victim impact statement, Mr Matthews' daughter described her father as her best friend, saying his death left her feeling like "life has no meaning". She spoke of his infectious laugh and said the memory of him in hospital haunts her daily.
