A man with a notorious history of pub violence has been banned from entering every licensed premises in Wales following a brutal assault on bar staff in Neath.
Court hears details of violent attacks
Julio Waters, 39, from Bevan Avenue, Cadoxton, Neath, was sentenced to 27 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court. The court heard he and his 66-year-old father, Wayne Waters, launched a violent attack on a security guard at the Ambassador Hotel in Neath town centre.
The incident on May 23 last year occurred when Julio Waters returned to the pub despite being barred following an earlier assault in August 2024. On that previous occasion, Waters had headbutted and punched a customer outside the venue without warning.
Father and son launch 'barrage of blows'
When confronted by a security guard about his existing ban, Waters initially challenged it before being allowed into the pool room to inform a companion. Shortly after, his father Wayne emerged and threatened to "smash his face in" before headbutting the doorman.
The pair then launched what prosecutor Dean Pulling described as a "barrage of blows" against the victim. Julio Waters alone landed 12 punches on the bouncer before patrons and staff managed to intervene at "no small risk to themselves." Both attackers then fled the scene.
The court was told that after the initial August attack, Waters had called the pub and instructed a staff member to "get rid of the cameras" in an apparent attempt to destroy CCTV evidence.
Judge imposes unprecedented ban
Judge Paul Thomas KC told Julio Waters he clearly posed a danger to customers and staff in licensed premises. The judge imposed a two-year exclusion order banning him from all licensed premises in Wales, expressing hope that he wasn't merely shifting the problem to England.
Waters, who has 26 previous offences including multiple violent incidents in pubs, had admitted two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH). His father Wayne, from Priory Close, Bryncoch, Neath, who has 15 previous offences, admitted one count of ABH.
In mitigation, David Singh said Julio Waters was addressing alcohol problems through Alcoholics Anonymous and took his parental duties to his 12-year-old daughter seriously. Dan Williams, representing Wayne Waters, said the retired scaffolder had significant health issues and regretted his involvement.
Wayne Waters received a 12-month suspended sentence, was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course and pay £1,000 compensation to an Ambassador staff member. Judge Thomas told him to contemplate the example he had set for his son.
Julio Waters will serve up to half his 27-month sentence in custody before release on licence. The ban from all Welsh pubs will remain in force for two years from his release.
