Llandybie man floored by CS spray (From South Wales Guardian)

Llandybie man floored by CS spray

12:50pm Thursday 3rd May 2012 in News

A LLANDYBIE carpenter punched a policeman in the faceandleft another needing hospital treatment after five officers stormed the 40-year-old’s bedroom while he took an afternoon nap.

Phillip Wayne Tommason, of 93 Blaenau Road, was in bed when officers swooped on the property at 5.30pm on March 15 after spending the day at “an old-fashioned wake”.

Prosecutor Peter Lloyd told Llanelli magistrates howofficers had been called to the property by Tommason’s wife.

“He was asleep in bed and was awoken by the officers,” saidMrLloyd.

“When he was told he was under arrest hebecameextremelyaggressiveandthrew awoodenboxwith a mirror attachedto it at the window.

“When the officers tried to restrain him he punched one in the face.

“Another officer grabbed him and pepper spraywas used to disable him.

“During the struggle one of the officers suffered a half-inch laceration to his hand which needed hospital treatment and has caused permanent scarring.”

In interview, Tommason told police he had spent the afternoon at the RedCowInn drinking lager and Aftershocks.

“There had been a wake at the pub for a local gentleman who died in tragic circumstances,”

said defence solicitor Peter Martin.

“Tommason had made a memorial bench in honour of the dead man, which was unveiled outside the pub.

“Afterwards there was an old-fashioned wake where the drink flowed quite liberally.”

Mr Martin said Tommason’s wife could not recallwhy she had called the officers.

“Whenthey arrived five officers wentup to the bedroom,” said Mr Martin, adding that Tommason had little recollection of the incident but accepted the prosecution case.

“He accepts his behaviour was unbelievable and he cannot quite grasp how this happened. He is extremely ashamed and embarrassed.”

Tommasonpleaded guilty to assaulting a police office in the execution of his duties.

Magistrates fined him £185 and ordered he pay the injured officer £150 compensation.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 legal surcharge.