A man in Wales has been banned from all pubs in the region after a violent incident. Julio Waters, in collaboration with his father Wayne, attacked a bar staff member in Neath, causing significant injuries. This altercation occurred after Julio had previously headbutted a customer, resulting in his initial ban from the pub.
Reports from Swansea Crown Court revealed that Julio Waters, aged 39, has a history of violence in pubs across Neath and Swansea, leading to his prior exclusion from all licensed establishments in Neath Port Talbot. During sentencing for his recent assault, the judge emphasized the threat Waters poses to both bar staff and patrons. The judge’s decision to ban him from all licensed premises in Wales aimed to prevent the problem from simply transferring to England.
According to Prosecutor Dean Pulling, the assault happened outside the Ambassador Hotel in Neath town center in August 2024. Julio Waters unexpectedly headbutted and punched a man socializing outside the bar before leaving the scene. Subsequently, a staff member called for an ambulance and stayed with the injured individual until medical help arrived. Waters later tried to obstruct any potential CCTV evidence of the incident.
Following the attack, Waters was identified through surveillance footage, leading to his ban from the venue. Despite providing no comments during questioning on October 24, Waters was released pending further investigation. In a separate incident on May 23, 2023, Waters and his father confronted a security guard at the Ambassador, resulting in physical altercations with the staff and patrons intervening to stop the violence.
Julio Waters, residing in Neath, admitted to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) and was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He will serve a portion of his sentence in custody before being released on license. Additionally, he was barred from all licensed premises in Wales for two years.
Wayne Waters, also from Neath, received a 12-month suspended prison sentence for his involvement in the altercation. The judge advised him to reflect on the example he sets for his son and to take responsibility for his actions. Wayne was instructed to complete a rehabilitation course and pay compensation to an Ambassador staff member.