A MAN who damaged several windows, assaulted a police constable, used threatening behaviour and entered part of a dwelling as a trespasser was dealt with at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. 

Andrew Rees Watkins, aged 20 of Tan Bank pleaded guilty to all four charges. Prosecutor, Ellie Morgan said: “On Saturday (Aug 9), officers on patrol in Haverfordwest were called to Stokes Avenue at 4.10am regarding a male throwing stones at windows. Police arrived and they were told by a lady, who was awoken by the noise, that she saw Watkins throwing the stones at her property, and some had gone through the glass. At 4.15am, somebody else called the police regarding somebody throwing stones at their windows but had left. At 4.53am, he was back outside the property and had stolen the house keys from inside the porch.

He also kept shouting and asking him to come out for a fight. “When officers arrived, they called at Watkins’ home address and he came out and shouted ‘F*** off will you’. he tried to shut the door in the officer’s face, but the officer had stopped the door with his foot. Other officers at the scene reported that Watkins was using all of his strength whilst trying to close the door. Officers used pepper spray on Watkins and forced the door open. They shouted at him to calm down and used an open palm to his face to stop him pushing. He continued to resist and was lashing out.

He became more and more aggressive and Officer Early felt a blow to her face. Her tooth had gone through her lip and she said it felt like her tooth was loose. The defendant instantly said sorry when he realised what he’d done. “He had been out for a drink with friends and had gone to Labyrith and Eddie Rocks. He had six double vodka and cokes and a pint of lager. He had gone back to his street and started throwing stones, and couldn’t explain why. He was shouting to get the male out of the house and said ‘I was p***** and stupid. If he came out I probably would have hit him’.

He says he doesn’t know how he hit the officer, but it must have been during a struggle and that it was unintentional.” Defence solicitor, Gareth Phillips said: “Watkins pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He said sorry to the officer and apologised whilst in the police vehicle. In terms of the burglary matter, he’d been friends with the complainant since they were children. Text had passed between them and it followed on from there.He went into the porch and took the key, he didn’t enter the house. He thought it would be funny to hide his key in the garden, but of course, it isn’t funny at all.

He was trying to prevent the officers from entering him home. Drink was involved and he acted recklessly.” Probation officer, Julie Norman told the court: “This is not a very pleasant incident. He had finished work and gone out socialising with friends. He recently had a falling out with the complainant where he’d received texts from the day before that he’d ignored, but alcohol influenced his decision. He regrets the whole thing and hasn’t been out since the incident. He feels that when he drinks vodka it makes him irate so doesn’t drink it.” Magistrates told Watkins: ‘We believe this is a one off offence’ and imposed a 12 month community order with the requirement of completing 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £50 compensation to Officer Early, £85 cost and £60 victim surcharge.