A JUDGE has threatened to issue a summons ordering Newport's police commander to appear before him in court after criticising the force's investigation into a 'Wild West' brawl in a city centre pub.

Judge Stephen Hopkins said he would be writing to Newport's Chief Superintendent Kevin Price (pictured) after accusing the force of "incompetence".

The judge hit out as he jailed 27-year-old Donna Benson for 18 months for her part in a fight in the Simpsons pub last April.

Judge Hopkins told Benson that her crimes deserved a two year sentence but because of the "incompetence" of Gwent Police who didn't charge her until six months after the attack he was reducing the sentence.

The judge said "due to the inefficiency if not the incompetence of Gwent Police," a man involved in the incident with her had not been arrested.

And he demanded a letter of explanation from the commander of Newport Central Police Station.

"Unless I have it by Monday I will issue a witness summons for the attendance of that officer," he said.

Benson, of Moorland Park, Newport, had been found guilty of causing Alan Willis actual bodily harm. She was also found guilty of common assault on his wife, Lesley Willis.

The court heard that on the night of April 18 last year fighting broke out in Simpsons Sports Bar in the centre of Newport when a mobile phone went missing.

"It was a scene like something from a John Wayne Western movie," said prosecutor Meirion Davies.

When Mr Willis attempted to telephone the police, Benson punched him and struck him with a chair.

She then picked up a heavy glass ashtray and swung it around. She then picked up a beer glass and struck Mr Willis on the side of the head shouting "I'm going to kill you."

The court heard that Benson and the man with her lunged at Mrs Willis grabbing her by the hair and punching her to the head and face. Mr Willis told the court that he intervened, tried to restrain them but was butted.

Mr Willis said: "I was and still am traumatised by what happened to me."

As the pair left the bar, he said, they told him they were going to shoot him.

The judge said that it was only thanks to warning cries from Mr Willis' wife and staff that as the glass came towards him he moved and was struck only on the side of the head.

He told Benson: "You claimed you were a victim but that account was rejected by the jury."

He added: "I observed you during the trial and you have shown not a hint of remorse. I assess you as an unpleasant young woman with an explosive temper."

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: "The Crown Prosecution Service relayed a message today (yesterday) to the divisional commander regarding the judge's request for a progress report into the case.

"This will be ready for Monday as requested. This is the first time Gwent Police have been asked for this information."