A judge has issued a warning to the public about a man with a long history of violence who punched a soldier unconscious outside a bar and walked away laughing. David James, 36, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court for a series of assaults, including an attack on a British Army soldier.
Assault Outside The Arch Nightclub
The most recent incident occurred in the early hours of April 19 this year outside The Arch nightclub in Commercial Street, Neath. James had been removed from the bar earlier that evening but remained nearby. He punched a man in the face, causing him to lose consciousness and fall to the ground, hitting the back of his head. James then walked away, laughing about what he had done. The victim, a soldier, was unconscious for two to three minutes and was placed in the recovery position by bystanders. He was taken to hospital with concussion and a fractured jaw.
Previous Assaults
The court heard that James's violent behavior began on February 11, 2024, at the Allan Leonard Lewis VC pub in Neath town centre. He headbutted a man in the mouth, delivered six punches, and stamped on his head while he lay on the floor. The victim suffered concussion, a black eye, facial swelling, a cut lip, and a chipped tooth. James finished his drink before fleeing.
On December 22 last year, police officers at Neath railway station saw a physical altercation. When they intervened, James punched one of the officers in the face. He was arrested and remained silent during questioning.
Criminal Record
James has 10 previous convictions for 23 offenses, including unlawful wounding, assault by beating, and assaulting a police officer. In December 2024, he received an 18-month suspended sentence for ABH after punching a man outside a bar in Swansea's Wind Street and kicking him while he was on the ground. The recent assaults breached that suspended sentence.
Sentencing
Judge Geraint Walters described James as "fist-happy when he has had a couple" and warned anyone going out in Neath or Swansea to be cautious if James is around. He noted that James had carried out a "catalogue of violent offending" and said that only luck prevented the charges from being manslaughter or murder. James was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the assaults, plus 12 months activated from the suspended sentence, totaling two and a half years. He will serve half in custody and the remainder on license. Restraining orders were also imposed, banning him from contacting his victims for five years.
