A Milford man who assaulted another male who made offensive remarks about his deceased mother, has been fined in court.

Twenty-two-year-old James Robert Murray, of St. Clements Road, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Joshua Stephens, when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that the incident occurred on September 4, when the complainant was sitting in a car by the Friars Vaults pub in Haverfordwest, talking to a friend on the pavement.

“Mr. Murray joined in, but the conversation became argumentative, and Mr. Stephens made remarks about the defendant’s mother.

“Mr. Murray leant into the vehicle and tickled Mr. Stephens under the chin, but he was pushed away. He then responded by punching Mr. Stephens in the face, causing his lip to bleed,” he explained.

Police arrested Mr. Murray and he made a full admission when interviewed, stating he had had problems with Mr. Stephens for years, going on to remark “he was talking about my mother, so I hit him.”

The court heard how Mr. Murray had two previous convictions for drink-driving and one for being drunk and disorderly.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb told the court that alcohol wasn’t a factor in this case, as his client admitted that if the complainant had made the remarks about his mother when he was sober, the outcome still would have been the same.

“Mr. Stephens was saying things about Mr. Murray’s mother who passed away recently, so the offence wasn’t without provocation,” Mr. Webb told the court.

Magistrates fined Mr. Murray £80 for the offence and ordered him to pay £50 compensation to the injured party.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.