A DRUNKEN teenager, celebrating his 18th birthday, spat at and scratched police after being restrained at Letterston’s annual Fun Day, a court heard.

Appearing before Haverfordwest magistrates last Tuesday, Shane Thomas, of Maesgrug, Stop and Call admitted being drunk and disorderly at Letterston football ground on July 26.

Thomas also admitted assaulting PC Haydon Mathias and PC Benjamin Staniforth on the same day.

A charge of possession of 0.7 grams of cannabis was withdrawn.

Prosecuting, Vaughan Pritchard-Jones said Thomas was being restrained when police arrived.

“It seems the defendant had too much to drink, he had become abusive and disorderly.

“Before the police let him up he stated he was going to hurt somebody but did calm down.

“He was handcuffed and taken to the police station, he started head-butting the inside of the police vehicle on the way to the station.

“The police were concerned for his safety and called for an appropriate vehicle; when they took him out of the first vehicle he spat at the two officers.”

The court heard Thomas grabbed hold of PC Staniforth’s arm and scratched him with his long nails.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said this would be Thomas’s first conviction in an adult court.

Defending, Mark Layton said: “This was his 18th birthday, that’s why he was in the drunken state he was, not a good start to maturity.

“People had brought him drinks; he’s consumed far too much alcohol and doesn’t really remember what happened.”

Julie Norman of the probation services said Thomas was not working or claiming benefits, relying on money from his mother as he spent his time ‘chilling’.

Thomas was placed on a 12 month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay compensation of £150, costs of £85, a £60 surcharge, and a court charge of £150.