A COURT has heard how a police officer was head-butted outside the Quins Rugby Club in Pembroke Dock by a man described as being ‘extremely hostile and aggressive’.

Offices were called to the premises on March 24 following reports from members of the public who had became concerned at the behaviour of Brodie Boswell.

“He was extremely hostile and aggressive from the start,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He said he would assault anyone who tried to stop him from going into the rugby club, but he was clearly under the influence of alcohol, slurring his words and being unsteady on his feet.”

Ms Jackson said that Boswell was told repeatedly by family members, as well as his friends, to leave the premises.

“But he remained there,” she continued.  “When he was approached by PC Smith, the defendant assaulted him by pushing him to the chest.  And when he was placed in handcuffs the defendant lunged towards [the officer] and headbutted him to the top of his head, causing initial pain.”

A victim statement was read out to the court, prepared by PC Smith.

“All too often police officers are subjected to assaults and threats,” he said.  “But it’s never acceptable to assume that assaults on police officers or police staff should be tolerated.”

Boswell, of Colley Court, Monkton, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place and to assaulting an emergency worker by beating.

He was represented in court by Fenn Richards.

“Somebody else had been fighting at the event, but the officers walked towards [the defendant], assuming that he had been the person involved,” she said.  “He became very stressed and startled, as he was the person who had first been assaulted.  But this is not an excuse for what happened.”

Ms Richards added that Boswell is employed as a mechanical fitter at an oil refinery in Grimsby,

He was fined £800 and ordered to pay £50 compensation to PC Smith.  He must also pay a £320 court surcharge and £85 costs.