A man from Pembroke has been fined by Haverfordwest magistrates after he pleaded guilty in a case of common assault.

Twenty-three-year-old Benjamin James Phillips admitted a charge of assaulting Ben Hilton, in Monkton, on January 17, when he appeared in court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Mr,. Peter Lloyd told magistrates that the victim, Mr. Hilton, returned to his home one night at 10.15 pm when he and his partner heard a loud thumping on his front door.

When he opened the door, Mr. Phillips, who was known to the couple, was standing there looking agitated and with a clenched fist, according to Mr. Hilton's girlfriend, punched the victim in his ribs, who fell to the floor.

"After shutting the door on him, Mr. Phillips hit and kicked the door, shouting and slurring his words and was clearly hammered, so the couple contacted the police," explained Mr. Lloyd.

The defendant's solicitor, Mr. Mike Reed, told the court that his client had been to visit a friend nearby and had a drink and also taken medication as he suffered with mental health problems.

After falling asleep on his friend's sofa, Mr. Phillips heard shouting and discovered his friend arguing with Mr. Hilton.

"He went around to Mr. Hilton's property over the road afterwards with the intention of getting him to apologise, but he admits he shouldn't have got involved and accepts the charge," said Mr. Reed.

Mr. Phillips was fined £40 for the assault and ordered to pay £25 compensation to the victim. Magistrates also ordered him to pay costs of £85 and a £20 victim surcharge.