Take #PaulsPledge This Christmas

Police in Welshpool are urging people to watch the sobering short film of Paul Pugh, a victim of alcohol-fuelled violence, prior to going on their Christmas night out.

The film, which starts with the 999 call made to emergency services after the attack, which occurred outside the Old Cross Inn in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, forms part of the #PaulsPledge campaign.

#PaulsPledge was launched in Carmarthenshire in December 2014 and is now running throughout Dyfed-Powys. It aims to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence by showing the consequences of such behaviour.

Paul Pugh was left in a coma for two months following the unprovoked assault, on January 6th, 2007, for which four men were jailed.

Despite the fact that he will never fully recover from injuries that left him having to learn how to walk and talk again, Paul is bravely using his experience to campaign against alcohol-fuelled violence.

Paul Pugh said: “This campaign is my way of doing something positive after what has happened. The more people I can share my story with and show the consequences of violence, the more chance there is of stopping this from happening to anyone else.”

PC Jim Baines, of Welshpool Police Station, said: “We hope that watching the #PaulsPledge film prior to people going on their Christmas night out will make people stop and think about the consequences of violence before lashing out.

“The campaign also encourages people to drink less alcohol on a night out as we know alcohol can have a massive impact on a person’s behaviour.

“Please show support for this campaign and walk away from aggression or violence on your night out.”

Watch the #PaulsPledge film on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVPGtmkbm8g.