A man from Pembroke Dock, accused of assaulting a friend in his own house, has been released on unconditional bail.

Forty-seven-year-old Richard Michael Carey, of Hamilton Court, appeared before Haverfodwest magistrates on Tuesday, to face a charge of assault on Jamie Dean Morgan, which occurred on January 12.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told magistrates that the victim, 39-year-old plasterer Mr. Morgan, had called around Mr. Carey's house who was a friend of his and they talked while drinking vodka.

Mr. Morgan had said in an interview that he had given to police, that he thought Mr. Carey seemed to be wound up when he arrived there, but shortly after Mr. Morgan had fallen asleep later that night, he was awoken by the defendant "going mental" on the phone.

The victim alleged that Mr. Carey punched him to the mouth and the back of the head and then grabbed him by the throat aggressively.

"He felt like he was being choked and that Mr. Carey, who was acting like a man possessed, was going to kill him," prosecutor Ms Morgan told the court.

Mr. Morgan said he was then dragged into a bedroom and locked in by Mr. Carey, who was shouting and swearing the whole time.

The victim managed to escape out of a window and went to the house of a friend, who called the police and an ambulance. Mr. Morgan was treated for bruising to his head and he received five stitches to a cut on the inside of his lip.

He told police that he had known Mr. Carey for around six years and that he regarded him as a good friend and did not know why he had acted like he had towards him.

In an interview to police, Mr. Carey said that Mr. Morgan had come around to his place and appeared half drunk.

After they had a few drinks together, Mr. Carey decided to make something to eat in the kitchen for both of them, but soon after, noticed Mr. Morgan looking through his wallet in the other room, with £40 in his hand.

The defendant said that he "lost it" and smacked Mr. Morgan, but then felt awful about his actions, and told his friend to go and have a lay down as he was drunk.

Mr. Carey said that he had regretted his actions and knew that he shouldn't have hit Mr. Morgan, but felt that he was robbing him.

The defendant's solicitor, James Subbiani, said that although his client pleaded guilty to the charge, there was an issue over which category it fell into.

Magistrates explained that as this was the case, there would be a 'Newton hearing' which often occurs when the defendant has pleaded guilty to an offence, but on the basis of a different version of the facts from that of the prosecution.

Mr. Carey was released on unconditional bail and his case was adjourned until March 20.