A Pembroke man who kicked out at a police officer when being arrested has been given a community order in court.
Thirty-four-year-old Jason Dean Clarke, of Devon Drive, appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to a charge of assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty in Monkton.
He also admitted causing criminal damage to the cage door mechanism of a police van, and to possessing 0.4 grammes of cannabis.
Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that officers arrested Mr. Clarke on an unrelated matter on September 11.
“He was resisting and struggling with officers and shouting and swearing. He kicked out and caught one officer on the arm, forcing him backwards,” she explained.
Officers had to strike the defendant with a baton to get his legs in the vehicle, the court heard, and also used gas on him.
“Mr. Clarke has offences of violence recorded against him previously, the most recent was last year,” continued Ms Vaughan.
Defence solicitor Mark Layton told the court that Mr. Clarke had something of a disagreement with his partner and he had been drinking.
“He was kicking out at the police van gate lock, when he hit the officer. It was reckless, but not deliberate,” said Mr. Layton.
The probation service told magistrates that Mr. Clarke was currently subject to a community order, issued in November of last year.
Magistrates elected to revoke the community order and issue a new one, to include 120 hours of unpaid work.
Mr. Clarke was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the injured police officer, £25 for the damaged van cage, and prosecution costs of £85.
A destruction order was also issued for the cannabis.