A NEWPORT man who has a stammer says he felt humiliated when staff at a city pub refused to serve him because they thought he was drunk.

Tony Woodsford, 36, of Maindee, went into JD Wetherspoon's John Wallace Linton pub on Cambrian Road around 10.30am on Wednesday, where he ordered two breakfasts and a coffee for him and his friend Mike Gay, 34.

But to his embarrassment, he says the barman mistook his stammer for drunken slurred speech and refused to serve him.

Mr Woodsford, who does not drink alcohol, tried to explain that he has a speech impediment but was told he could not be served because he was intoxicated.

His friend Mr Gay stepped in and the pair eventually spoke to a manager, who agreed to serve them.

Mr Woodsford said: “I have never felt so embarrassed in my life.”

"It's the first time in my life I have been turned down for breakfasts - I don't even drink."

JD Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon confirmed the incident happened but said CCTV footage showed one of the men shaking hands with the duty manager, which suggested that everything was resolved satisfactorily.

He added: “Nonetheless, we understand the gentleman's anger at the situation and apologise to him and it was obviously never the pub's intention to humiliate him in any way."