A Pembroke Dock teenager who verbally abused police officers on a night out after consuming 24 bottles and eight pints of beer has been charged with being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Eighteen-year-old Joseph Gray, of London Road, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to the offence.

The defendant also admitted being in possession of 0.8 grammes of the Class A drug MDMA at the same hearing.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court that the incident occurred at around 2 am on September 2, on Pembroke’s Main Street.

“Police officers were approached by a man asking if they would take his friend home, as he was so drunk that the taxi drivers were refusing to take him,” she explained.

Mr. Gray then started swearing and shouting at officers, and verbally abused them before stating that they were a ‘waste of taxpayers money’.

“He was warned about his behaviour and state, and was eventually arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

“Whilst being transported to Haverfordwst police station, the defendant repeatedly headbutted and kicked the van’s cage that he was in, and also spat.

“At the station Mr. Gray continued to swear repeatedly at officers and when searched a plastic bag was found in his wallet containing MDMA.

Mr. Gray eventually admitted in a police interview that he’d purchased the drug the previous weekend with his ‘dole money’ as he liked to use it as it helped him to get ‘wrecked’ before telling officers that he’d consumed ‘24 bottles of Bud’ before going out that night, followed by eight pints whilst in town.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the court that Mr. Gray had produced medical letters to explain that intervention was already in place and to give an insight into the difficulties that he’d been experiencing.

“These issues compounded by his alcohol and drug misuse have led him to appear in court recently.

“He is taking things seriously and does want to change his behaviour. He says that he doesn’t drink every day, but when he does, he binge drinks,” added Mrs. Norman.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told magistrates that Mr. Gray was an award winning engineering student at Pembrokeshire College prior to his convictions which had taken place this year.

“He has various psychiatric problems and is taking too many drugs and drinking too much. He has admitted himself to the Bro Cerwyn unit in Haverfordwest,” added Mr. Kelleher.

Magistrates gave Mr. Gray a six month community order, with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement of 10 days.

He was also fined £20 for the drugs charges, and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £50 and an £85 victim surcharge.