Aberystwyth University student Rhys Thomas Dawe appeared at Swansea Magistrates Court
A STUDENT who broke a policeman's hand during a drunken disturbance on Swansea's Wind Street has been fined and told to pay the officer £1,000 in compensation.
Rhys Thomas Dawe had been on a night out in the city centre on June 30 when he became involved in "scuffle" at a cash machine with an unknown male.
Swansea Magistrates Court heard that a PC on duty on Wind Street went to speak to the 19-year-old, who then began swearing abuse at the officer before taking up a "fighting stance".
Julie Sullivan, prosecuting, said the officer tried to calm the teenager down and take hold of him but Dawe swung his arm at him, hitting the officer's hand.
Using only one arm the constable got Dawe into a neck-lock and called for back up — the defendant was then carried to a waiting police van by a number of officers, kicking out at them as he went.
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Dawe, of Bethania Street, Maesteg, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place and to assaulting a constable in the course of his duty when he appeared before justices.
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In his police interview he said he had been "agitated" a leaving a Swansea club and had begun grappling with the man by the cash machine after he had "looked at him". He said he couldn't recall the subsequent incident with the policeman.
The court was told the officer suffered a fractured hand in the assault, and was in plaster for six weeks. As well as meaning he was off work, and also being unable to coach the junior football team he was involved in, the court heard the incident had left the officer having to explain to his children how and why their father had been injured at work.
Probation officer Polly Smith said Aberystwyth University student Dawe had drunk far more than usual on the night in question, and had also mixed his drinks. She said he was a man of previously clean character, and that his charge and conviction had been a "sobering experience" for him.
Philip Thomas, for Dawe, said his client was extremely ashamed of his behaviour, actions the solicitor described as "reprehensible".
Mr Thomas said the defendant's actions had been "reckless and stupid" but that he had never intended to hurt the officer.
He added that the conviction was clearly going to have an impact on the sports science student's future career.
Dawe was fined a total of £366 and was ordered to pay the constable he injured £1,000 in compensation. He will also have to pay £85 costs and a £36 surcharge.
Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/student-who-broke-policeman-s-hand-ordered-to-pay-1-000-compensation/story-29534300-detail/story.html#ixzz4F7xb8fYI
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