Newport man jailed after betting shop assault to return to jail

A Newport man who launched an assault inside a betting shop has been jailed after admitting he just wanted to return to prison.

Neil Upton, 55, vaulted over the counter at Ladbrokes on Malpas Road and began swinging punches at employee Carl Jones after demanding cash from the safe. The incident unfolded at around 4pm on Saturday, 29th November 2025, leaving Mr Jones with damaged glasses following the confrontation.

Quick-thinking customers in the shop stepped in to help, restraining Upton until police arrived. As they held him, the defendant shouted: “Get off me you c***!”

When officers arrived, Upton made his intentions clear, telling them: “I just want to go back to prison.”

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Upton, of Fairoak Avenue, Newport, has an extensive criminal history spanning decades, with 33 previous convictions for 86 offences. His record includes a robbery in 1986, grievous bodily harm in 1995, and burglary in 2022.

Defence barrister Gareth Williams told the court: “The defendant was never trying to steal anything at the betting shop. He has had issues with addiction and he was in a dark place at the time.”

The court heard Upton wished to apologise to both the court and his victim.

Judge Paul Hobson sentenced Upton to 15 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit robbery. He will serve no more than half that term before being released on licence, with time already spent on remand counting towards his sentence.

The judge also imposed a three-year restraining order banning Upton from entering that Ladbrokes branch on Malpas Road.