TWO men from Pontypridd appeared in Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Oct 28) after both had been charged with disorderly conduct.

Mark Sweeney, aged 31 of Ynys Y Bwl and Ian Rhys Morgan, aged 32 of Leyshon Street both pleaded guilty to the charge.

Prosecutor, Ellie Morgan said: “On September 7 just past midnight, Sergeant Williams was on duty in Tenby on George Street. Bar staff came out of the Three Mariners Hotel and asked for immediate assistance. The two men were inside and had armed themselves with bottles. They acted aggressively and had already smashed a number of bottles and glasses, and were shouting ‘Come on you f****** w******.’ The officer approached them armed with pepper spray and asked them to put the bottles down. They complied but were still shouting ‘F*** you’. They were then detained and arrested.”

Ms Morgan continued: “CCTV of the incident shows numerous members of the public who were present running out of the pub. The officer said he was alarmed and felt fearful. Morgan said he couldn’t remember the important part, but before it happened he and his friend were having a laugh. He said he was very drunk and something drastic must have happened for him to act in that way, saying ‘We must have been outnumbered or something’. He was seen throwing a bottle and said he felt like he was being blamed for everything, but something must have happened. Sweeney said that males started shouting at them and he smashed a glass, but he shouldn’t have. He said he had eight pints and has a clear recollection one minute and then can’t remember what happens the next. He said ‘I was threatened and I was just reacting, you know?’.”

Defence solicitor, James Subbiani said: “Both pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and both were very frank and candid. They’d been to Oakwood in the day and decided to go to The Three Mariners Hotel. They were attacked and reacted inappropriately and ejected from the pub. They cooperated with police immediately, but they should have gone to the police themselves as they would have been treated like victims and not criminals.”

Probation officer, Julie Norman said: “Both were fully cooperative with me in preparation for the report. They’d been part of a party of four and had been to Oakwood. They booked a room in a B&B and the other two people decided to go back to the hotel. Sweeney and Morgan decided to stay out for one last drink and it all went wrong.They were drunk but were in a happy mood and had a good evening. They were provoked and an unpleasant incident occurred resulting in a scuffle.”

Ms Norman continued: “Sweeney has tried to sort himself out and get away from offending, and in the last eight years has gained employment and tried to lead a pro social life. Morgan is a married man and his last conviction was nine years ago. He was sentenced to a term of custody in the past and is disappointed he is back.”

After long deliberation, magistrates told the court: “We have been discussing custody as this is a serious offence. We don’t want that type of behaviour in our county. All of your previous offences have been drink related. You didn’t have to stay out, you could have just gone home and stayed out of trouble. When are you going to get the message?”

Magistrates imposed a 12 month community order with the requirement of completing 180 hours of unpaid work. They must also pay £85 cost and £60 victim surcharge.