A Milford Haven man who destroyed a toilet lid before attempting to self-harm has been jailed.

Thirty-year-old, Martin Dean of Robert Street was due to appear via video link at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday to answer the charge, but refused to come out of his cell.

He was subsequently convicted in his absence.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting told the court that the defendant was a patient on the St Caradog’s Ward in Haverfordwest.

On December 13 last year, the day of the offence Mr. Dean asked if he could use the telephone to call his mother.

The phone call then developed into a slanging match with the mother and son shouting at each other.

Mr. Dean got upset during the conversation and snapped the handset as a result.

He then went to the toilet in his room, where he smashed the lid into shards before attempting to self-harm.

The police were then called with the defendant admitting the offences.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd, told the court that the case was sad as his client had been unwell with mental health issues.

Hee also told the court that Mr. Dean had been diagnosed with Schizophrenia when he was a teenager.

Magistrates sentenced the defendant to seven days in prison as he was already on remand for another offence.

He was also ordered to pay £122 as a victim surcharge and £40 in prosecution costs.

Mr. Dean was also instructed to pay £49 in compensation for the damaged caused and for the fitting of the new parts.