**Father and Son Prohibited from Entering Wales for a Year Following Violent Pub Incident**
A father and son from Staffordshire have been handed suspended prison sentences and banned from Wales for a year after a violent outburst at a pub in Wrexham left two doormen injured and shaken. The pair, both scaffolders working temporarily in North Wales, appeared before Mold Crown Court to answer charges stemming from the late-night brawl at The Midland pub on Wrexham’s High Street earlier this year.
The court heard how Bradley Birtles, 22, began to act unpredictably and confrontationally after having consumed alcohol and cocaine ahead of the incident. His behaviour inside the establishment was described as increasingly erratic before the violence unfolded. Birtles’ father, Keith Hall, aged 46, became involved as the dispute escalated into a serious assault on the pub’s security staff.
Prosecuting counsel Ryan Rothwell detailed to the court how CCTV captured Birtles engaging in heated exchanges and alleging discrimination against people from Birmingham. Events quickly spiralled when he attacked a doorman, David Jones, grabbing him and delivering a series of punches. Hall, at first appearing to try and intervene, instead became actively involved as matters deteriorated, the prosecution stated.
Fellow doorman Andrew Howell attempted to restrain Hall, only to be knocked to the ground, at which point Hall was seen stamping on his head. As chaos reigned outside the pub, Birtles then targeted Howell, kicking him in the head with sufficient force to render him unconscious. Howell later recalled regaining consciousness amidst a group of bystanders, still uncertain of how long he had been knocked out for.
The violence did not end there. According to statements, both Birtles and Hall continued to assault Mr Jones, with further punches thrown and even a claim of a bite. The wounds left both doormen not only physically injured but also anxious about their return to work. Howell sustained cuts and heavy bruises, while Jones reported a swollen head and a damaged tooth. In a particularly telling sign of the incident’s impact, Jones said he had lost lucrative heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driving jobs worth more than £7,000 as a direct result of his injuries.
Police were summoned to the scene at 11:40pm after the disturbance erupted, with a manager for the pub chain also attending the aftermath. The case prompted strong words from Her Honour Judge Nicola Jones, who addressed both men during sentencing. The judge labelled Birtles’ actions as ‘stupid and ridiculous’, while admonishing Hall for failing in his responsibilities as a parent, especially while working away from home.
Both men admitted the charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, as well as a further count of affray relating to the same incident. Taking into account their admissions of guilt and expressions of remorse – Birtles in particular was said to be deeply ashamed – the court imposed two-year prison sentences, suspended for two years, and an additional eight-month term (also suspended) for affray. They have also been ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity each.
In a move rarely seen in such cases, the court imposed a 12-month ban preventing both Birtles and Hall from entering Wales. The judge underscored the seriousness of their use of ‘shod feet’ as weapons and the gravity of inflicting such violence upon those working to maintain order in public venues.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by front-line security personnel in the hospitality sector, and the potential consequences that await those who resort to violence after a night out. The suspended sentences, rehabilitation requirements, and ban from Wales collectively reflect the judiciary’s efforts to both punish and deter such conduct, while offering an opportunity for reform.
As the victims in this alarming incident work on their recovery, the wider community remains mindful of the need for respect and restraint in shared public spaces, particularly where tensions may run high and group loyalty can spill over into aggression. The outcome of this case sets a notable precedent, highlighting that violence against those working in public service roles will be met with stern consequences.