A Monkton man who drunkenly took his friend’s car as a prank when retrieving more beers from the vehicle has been handed a community order.

Twenty-four-year-old Daniel Thomas Fairlie, of Montgomey Close, admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking without the consent of the owner; driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence; and using a motor vehicle in a public place without third party insurance, when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He also admitted a further charge of assaulting the person he took the vehicle from.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that the incident occurred on October 27, when Mr. Fairlie was at the Tudor Mews area in Pembroke drinking with friends.

“Mr. Fairlie was with the complainant and her boyfriend with all three drinking alcohol in her flat.

“The complainant’s Vauxhall car was parked outside in the communal car park, and Mr. Fairlie went down to fetch some more alcohol that was left in the vehicle.

“He was give the car keys to go and simply get the booze, but the next thing the complainant heard was her vehicle being revved with Mr. Fairlie in the driver’s seat, who then reversed it into the wall behind, causing damage to the car.

“The couple went out and remonstrated with him, but he lost his self control and started grabbing the female around the neck area, before then throwing punches in all directions, one of which hit her on the head. To get him off her, she headbutted him causing Mr. Fairlie a nosebleed.

“Police officers attended the scene and Mr. Fairlie was arrested, afterwards giving a ‘no comment’ interview at the station,” he added.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court that it was a ‘very unfortunate’ incident between a group of friends who had since made up.

“Mr. Fairlie has since apologised to them for his behaviour. He had picked up the beer from the back of the car, and foolishly decided to move it. There was a little collision that caused a few minor scrapes to the car.

“It was a practical joke that went entirely wrong. There was no malice intended.

“Not surprisingly the vehicle’s owner was annoyed, but she gave as good as she got. Matters have now been mended between them all,” he added.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the court that Mr. Fairlie had previous convictions to his name and had been handed four community orders in the past.

“He was intoxicated and his recollection of the incident is vague. It is concerning that he is here again before the court for offending, as he is accumulating a conviction record,” she remarked.

Magistrates told Mr. Fairlie that the matter was serious enough for them to hand him a high level 12 month community order, with a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement to also include 19 sessions of a thinking skills programme and 250 hours of unpaid work.

Mr. Fairlie was disqualified from driving for 20 months and was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the complainant.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £90 victim surcharge.