A man accused of punching a New Year's Eve reveller to the floor and kicking him in the face was a boxer in training, a jury heard today(Tuesday).

Sean Meaney told police after his arrest that he had hit Alfie Boswell, known as Digger, in the face but only because he thought he was about to be attacked.

He denied kicking him.

The prosecution claim is that Meaney, aged 22, of Marshall Road, Monkton, Pembroke, carried out an unprovoked attack inside the Three Mariners pub in the centre of Tenby shortly before midnight on December 31st, 2008.

Swansea crown court heard today about Meaney's response to the allegations made during police interviews.

He said he had seen Mr Boswell standing with a group men and thought he was staring menacingly at him.

He and his group decided to leave to avoid any trouble but before he could Mr Boswell approached and asked him "What's you ******* problem?"

Meaney added, "I lashed out, in fear. I did not kick him at any point."

Meaney told police he was a boxer and had been in training at the time.

Officers showed him photographs of Mr Boswell's injuries, which included a lip split right through and two missing teeth, which required treatment at Withybush hospital and later specialist care at Swansea's Morriston hospital.

Meaney said: "It makes me feel sick. I am not proud of myself. I didn't realise my own strength. I was very scared.

"I thought I was going to be jumped by a couple of boys."

Meaney denies unlawfully wounding Mr Boswell and the trial continues. A verdict is expected tomorrow (Wednesday).