The Ship and Pilot in Pill, Newport, has been ordered to cut its opening hours after police responded to the alleged incident in the street
Nicholas Thomas, Local Democracy Reporter
07:59, 23 Dec 2025
The Ship And Pilot pub in Pill, Newport(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
A pub in Newport has been instructed to reduce its operating hours following a reported “violent altercation” on the street which left a trail of blood leading away from the establishment. The incident, said to involve “six to eight” individuals, allegedly occurred outside the Ship and Pilot pub in Pillgwenlly shortly after 1am on Sunday, October 26.
Newport City Council’s licensing committee was informed that police received a call alleging some of those involved were “searching through recycling containers for glass bottles to use as weapons”. Licensing officer Llyr Roberts reported that a man later presented at the Royal Gwent Hospital with “a significant wound to his right arm, consistent with a slash or stab injury”.
This incident followed two calls to the police on the evening of Thursday, July 3, reporting an individual was “inside the Ship and Pilot allegedly in possession of a knife”, according to Mr Roberts. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter
Although the police searched an individual they did not find a knife. A man claimed he had been “punched in the face” but provided no additional information. “No other individuals present were willing to engage with police officers,” added Mr Roberts.
He mentioned that the police requested CCTV footage, but were informed that the system had “malfunctioned and no footage was available”. This “failure to provide CCTV has meant despite clear criminality within the premises, the incident could not be progressed further by Gwent Police”, he informed the committee.
A report from the incident on October 26 reveals that some initial footage was sent to the police, but alleges that after receiving a request for additional evidence, the premises licence holder “failed to provide the CCTV”. The licence holder refutes that. Mr Roberts also recounted a series of previous complaints about the premises.
Council licensing manager Alastair Dearling labelled the two incidents as “failures to uphold” the pub’s licensing obligations, “specifically the prevention of crime and disorder, and public safety”.
“Residents of Pill have a right to feel safe,” he continued. “These events have caused significant concerns and also distress.”
He stated that his department and the police initially agreed that the pub’s licence should be “revoked or suspended”, but following “very proactive discussions with the licence holder’s solicitor… it may be possible to mitigate those concerns”.
PC Mark Williams expressed that the incidents demonstrated “a direct link to violent disorder [and] a failure to cooperate with police”.
Part of the officer’s testimony was heard in private as the committee was informed it pertained to an ongoing investigation.
Ewen Macgregor, acting for premises licence holder Tania Sultana, described the Ship and Pilot as a “small” establishment that functions as a “local community hub”.
He emphasised it is “one of the few remaining pubs in Pill”, and serves as Ms Sultana’s only income source, whilst also providing employment for four “members of the local community”.
Mr Macgregor disputed claims that his client had been “uncooperative” with police, stating that Ms Sultana maintained she had not been requested to supply CCTV for the July 3 incident.
He explained that Ms Sultana met with officers after the October 26 incident and furnished CCTV footage, though technical difficulties prevented her from submitting additional material.
Committee member Cllr David Fouweather indicated his willingness to back a “reasonable” compromise that would permit the Ship and Pilot to continue trading, but cease alcohol sales by midnight.
The committee reached agreement and introduced additional stricter licensing conditions for the establishment.
