A 26-year-old man appeared before magistrates this week following an early morning incident in Manorbier.

Christopher James Allen was chased by police through fields before being arrested in connection with a series of vehicle-related offences on March 8.

The police were contacted by Mr. Maytum, landlord of the village's Castle Inn, after Allen, who had been at the public house, before attending a party in the area, was seen sitting in the seat of his vehicle fiddling with the ignition wires, the court sitting in Tenby heard.

Mr. Maytum spoke to the defendant, who started to play fight with him before walking away, said Mr. Nick Newton, of the Crown Prosecution Service.

When police caught up with Allen, he was covered in blood, his speech was slurred and he smelt of intoxicants.

Although he could not recall committing the offences, Allen was 'sorry' for his actions and his solicitor, Miss Sharon Knox, told the court that he was 'extremely disappointed' in himself.

Allen, who admitted taking a motor vehicle without consent, vehicle interference, driving with excess alcohol and causing criminal damage to a van, at a previous hearing, was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order when he was sentenced on Tuesday.

In addition, Allen, of 17 Flemish Court, Lamphey, was also disqualified from driving for three years for driving whilst nearly three times over the drink-drive limit and ordered to attend the drink impaired drivers programme.

He was also ordered to pay £148.82 compensation to one of the vehicle owners and in respect of a further charge of using a motor vehicle without insurance was fined £150 and will have his licence endorsed with six penalty points. He was also ordered to pay £55 costs.