A BETWS man has been warned he could soon be behind bars after he threatened to knock a police officer's teeth out.

Gareth Haines, of Cae Crwm, in Cwmfelin Road, was arrested after a fight broke out at his mother's home in Margaret Street, Ammanford.

Beth Thomas, prosecuting, said the 22-year-old was stripped to waist and covered in blood when officers arrived at the address .

"He and his brother had been fighting," said Mrs Thomas, "and it wasn't clear who had done what, so both were arrested."

Mrs Thomas said Haines, who was already on bail before the May 2 incident, became aggressive after he was put into a police car.

"On the way to the police station, he became very aggressive and threatend to knock Sgt Payne's teeth out," she said "He went on to say I'll have your job and I'll have you'."

Haines' defence solicitor said no charges had followed the original incident. But she confirmed her client was on bail for common assault and criminal damage.

"He says he was angry because the handcuffs were on too tight," she added.

"But it could have been a case of the officers tightening them because he was becoming more aggressive."

The case was adjourned for a full pre-sentence report to be compiled, with all options left open.

Haines, who pleaded guilty to resisting arrest, was released on bail but warned by magistrates that he will be placed in custody if he reoffends.

"If you don't co-operate with the probation service you will be put in custody until the report is compiled," they said.

The case continues on May 30 at Llanelli Magistrates' Court.