A man charged with being drunk in a public place after being seen slumped outside a supermarket at 3 pm in Tenby has been fined in court.
Thirty-seven-year-old Richard Marc Rowe, of Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to the charge.
Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told magistrates that on June 23, police received a phone call from a member of the public to say that there was a male drunk and slumped on a seat outside the taxi rank by Sainsburys on Park Road, Tenby.
“Police officers spoke to the man who smelt of alcohol, but he couldn’t understand what was said to him,” she said.
A check on his wallet by officers discovered Mr. Rowe’s identity and a report circulated from Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest stated that the man had recently left the facility having received no medical assistance and that there was concern for his welfare.
“The defendant had no control over his arms or legs and there was a half empty bottle of vodka alongside him. Police officers had no option but to arrest him,” continued Ms Vaughan.
Mr. Rowe, who addressed magistrates himself, said that he accepted the facts and that he had a drink problem which he was addressing.
He added that he had been visiting his dad for Father’s Day and had gone on a “bit of a bender,” he told the court.
Chief magistrate David Simpson told the defendant that it was all credit to him that he was prepared to admit that he had a drink problem and that he was doing something about it, but that Tenby was full of holidaymakers at that time of year and didn’t need any bad publicity from drunken people.
“The next time you come to Tenby, stay sober and enjoy it!” he remarked, before magistrates issued Mr. Rowe with a £40 fine.
He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.