A COURT has heard how a self-employed tree surgeon ‘hit a nerve’ when a customer at a Narberth pub began hurling derogatory comments at him concerning his mother.

Ashley Willliams, 34, refused to accept the comments made to him by fellow drinker Paul Deary, during the incident at The Dragon Inn, Narberth, on the night of October 18, 2023.

“They’d both been drinking at the pub but then suddenly, at around 10pm, the complainant made significant derogatory comments to the defendant from absolutely nowhere, about having sex with his mother,” said Wiliams’ solicitor, Mr Tom Lloyd.

As a result, Ashley Williams, of Stoneyford Farm, Narberth,  launched himself at Mr Deary and pushed him backwards, causing his head to hit a wall.  The force of the impact resulted in considerable injuries to the back of Paul Deary’s head, and a photograph of the wound was shown to the magistrates.

 Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said Mr Deary required hospital treatment for his injury and sustained 45 stitches to the back of his head which will result in a permanent scar.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court , Mr Deary said the assault has had a profound impact on his life.

“This has made me feel unsafe in my home town,” he said.  “I’m now sofa surfing because I don’t want to be there any more.”

During the altercation, Mr Deary’s mobile phone and necklace were both damaged

Ashley Williams pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Deary causing actual bodily harm and was legally represented in court by Mr Tom Lloyd.

“It wasn’t his intention to cause that degree of injury,” said Mr Lloyd.  “But those completely inappropriate derogatory comments were made and possibly the most important thing to consider is that this all started by that degree of provocation.  And that’s crucial.”

Meanwhile probation officer Julie Norman said that Williams, who is a self-employed tree surgeon, arrived at the pub after finishing work earlier that evening.

“He drank around eight pints of alcohol and as a result, those comments [made by Mr Deary] hit a nerve.  If the defendant hadn’t been drinking, he’d have walked away.”

Williams was sentenced to 26 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months.  He must pay a total of £500 compensation to Mr Deary, which includes £200 for the damage caused to his mobile phone and necklace.  He must pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He was also ordered to carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and must wear an alcohol monitoring tag for the next 120 days.