A PENYGROES man who embarked on a drinking spree at the village rugby club was later found by police lying on top of the porch of his parents' home, Llanelli magistrates were told.

Declan Thomas Maguire was said to have then leapt or fallen from the eight-foot porch into the next door neighbour's back garden before becoming involved in "a huge melee" with officers which led to his arrest, the court heard.

Maguire, aged 21, of 12 Spien Road, was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs after pleading guilty to obstructing Pc Pocock in the execution of his duty. He was also ordered to pay a £15 victims' surcharge.

Lesley Harborn, prosecuting, said police had been called to "an ongoing domestic incident" at a house on the Garnfeol estate at 4.10am on May 4 where they found the defendant lying on top of the porch of No.5.

"They tried to get him to come down but he just turned his back on them," she added.

While police spoke to Maguire's stepfather they heard a loud banging from outside and found the accused lying unconscious on the ground outside.

"They think he had tried to jump onto the porch of the adjoining property and ended up on his back in a neighbour's back garden," continued Ms Harborn.

She said that an ambulance was called and, on coming round, Maguire had to be tackled to the ground as he tried to run away.

"He was extremely violent despite pleas to calm down" she said. "During this struggle he struck out with his knee which made contact with Pc Pocock – spray had to be used to bring him under control. There was a huge melee between him and the police officers that led to his arrest."

Richard Morgan, in mitigation, said his client fully accepted the incident resulted from his misuse of alcohol, adding that Maguire had downed numerous drinks – including vodka and whisky – at Penygroes RFC beforehand.

"This is someone who suffers from stress and anxiety," added Mr Morgan. "He has two very young children from two different relationships and has been trying to juggle his personal circumstances while not being emotionally able to deal with the situation.

"He wishes to apologise for what he's done, he realises it was very foolish."