A former ‘student of the year’ has been fined in court after spitting at police officers and being drunk and disorderly in Pembroke, in what has been described as an ‘unsavoury’ incident.

Eighteen-year-old Joseph Gray, of Glenview Avenue, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly on Pembroke’s Main Street when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The teenager also admitted a charge of criminal damage, after spitting and urinating in his cell at Haverfordwest Police Station following his arrest, on April 9.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court that the defendant had been arrested outside Paddles nightclub in Pembroke, after officers had their attention drawn to Mr. Gray at around 3 am, as he was stood in the middle of the road shouting abuse with vomit down his top.

“When officers spoke to Mr. Gray, his speech was slurred and he was intoxicated with a stain of vomit down his top.

“He shouted verbal abuse toward officers and said that he hated them, and told them that they couldn’t make him move!” Ms Morgan told magistrates.

After several warnings about his behaviour, police officers arrested the defendant and took him to Haverfordwest polices station.

“When Mr. Gray was presented to the custody desk, it was explained that he had been spitting at officers on the way there and been very abusive, threatening violence towards them,” continued Ms Morgan.

“He continued to be aggressive at the police station and because of his behaviour, he had his clothes removed as officers were unable to search him. His T-shirt had to be cut from him.

“Once in his cell, at one point Mr. Gray rushed to the door and punched it, before spitting a huge amount of phlegm into the spy hole.

“Officers checked the cell again at 5.15 am and saw urine on the floor, so Mr. Gray was further arrested for criminal damage.

“This was a very unsavoury incident, and specialist cleaning was required for the cell,” added Ms Morgan.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court that Mr. Gray had been in a ‘very bad way’ that night due to alcohol consumption.

“You would think from this report that he was continually in trouble and always causing a nuisance, but that isn’t him and is out of character. The last time I met Mr. Gray he was still in college and a student of the year.

“He has been looking for work since leaving college, and had been given the news that he had received a work placement, so had gone out to celebrate that night.

“He had way too much to drink, and doesn’t recall the incident or even being in the police cells. His celebrations have got him into trouble.

“Mr. Gray is embarrassed by his behaviour and has already apologised to the police,” added Mr. Kelleher.

Magistrates told Mr. Gray that it had proved to be a ‘very expensive night out’ before fining him a total of £160 for both offences and ordering him to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.

He was also told to pay £150 compensation to Dyfed Powys Police for damaging the cell.