A man charged with the theft of a TV from a store in Kilgetty and also an assault in the village the following month has been given a 12-month community order by magistrates in Haverfordwest.

Thirty-one-year-old Steven Barham, who gave his address as College Park, Neyland, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a 22-inch DVd combi television, valued at £129.99, from the Co-op in Kilgetty, on November 27, when he appeared in front of magistrates at Haverfordwest on Tuesday.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Thomas Watkins in Kilgetty on December 30, and driving his motor vehicle while disqualified and without insurance, on the same day.

The defendant's solicitor, Mr. James Subbiani, told magistrates that his client had stolen the TV from the Co-op while he lived in Kilgetty and had visited the store to buy a few provisions.

"He saw the display TV as he left the store and took it as he was stressed with money troubles with Christmas approaching," explained Mr. Subbiani.

"When he lugged it in at home and realised that it didn't work, he threw it out with the rubbish," he continued.

Mr. Subbiani also explained that the assault Mr. Barham was accused of was nothing more than a shove to the back of the head of a local who he had a history of altercations with.

Probation officer Julie Norman, who was asked to interview and compile a report on the defendant, told the court that the assault came after a verbal altercation with Thomas Watkins, after Mr. Barham and his fiancée had walked past the victim and his two brothers.

"Afterwards, he foolishly drove his partner's car a short distance after getting wound up by the incident and issues with his accommodation," Ms Norman told magistrates.

She also explained that Mr. Barham, who suffered with sciatica, had since moved to Neyland with his new partner and was currently unemployed, but would be considered for unpaid work as a punishment.

Magistrates gave the defendant a 12-month community order, with supervisory requirement, for all four offences and ordered him to carry out 18 hours unpaid work.

Mr. Barham's driving ban, which was due to end at the end of March, was extended by 12 weeks and he was given six penalty points on his licence.

He was ordered to pay £129.99 compensation to Kilgetty Co-op and costs of £170 and a £60 victim surcharge.