Betws man too drunk to recall incident (From South Wales Guardian)

Betws man too drunk to recall incident

12:20pm Friday 27th January 2012 in News

A 36-YEAR-OLD Betws man has told magistrates he was so drunk after an afternoon drinking session in Ammanford that he had no recollection of verbally abusing police officers or being involved in an incident at a town centre pub.

Damian Hughes, of 60 Treforis, told Llanelli magistrates he was “heavily intoxicated” at the time of the December 22 incident.

Magistrates were told howofficers were called to Ammanford’s Railway Inn at 5.45pm following reports of a disturbance inside the premises.

But when officers arrived at the scene they found no evidence of any problem apart from blood on Hughes’ face.

Rhian Millidge, prosecuting, told the court that when the officers approached, Hughes became aggressive.

“He was abusive and threatening and clearly under the influence of alcohol,” said Ms Millidge.

“He had clearly been involved in something as he had blood coming from his nose.”

Ms Millidge said Hughes refused to explain his injury to the police and became more and more agitated.

“The officers told him to calm down and go home but he continued swearing and was therefore arrested.”

The court also heard how Hughes had been arrested just six days earlier when spotted smoking a cannabis joint in the street.

When confronted by officers he claimed he had smelled the drug being smoked as he walked past the town’s bus station.

He told the officers he approached a man, asked for the end of his joint and was given it.

Hughes pleaded guilty to using threatening words and behaviour and to the possession of a Class B drug.

Magistrates fined Hughes £65 for drug possession and £35 for the public order offence.

He was also ordered to pay £80 court costs and a £15 legal surcharge.