Drinker chills out in fish freezer (From Western Telegraph)

Drinker chills out in fish freezer

A MILFORD HAVEN drinker got a lock-in of a different sort when he awoke to find himself trapped in a walk-in freezer.

Steven Parry Hounsome, aged 27, was discovered in the Merchant Fish Hall freezer by Milford Docks security guard David Morgan earlier this month.

Mr Morgan called the police after hearing a scuffling sound from the freezer in the early hours of the morning.

As he and officers investigated, they were shocked to see the door kicked off its hinges from within. Then, according to Mr Morgan: A very angry man came charging out.

Hounsome had to be restrained through the use of a CS gas spray before officers could arrest him.

Hounsome admitted causing criminal damage to the door when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates last Wednesday.

How Hounsome ended up inside the freezer remains a mystery to everyone, including himself.

Defending, Mr James Subbiani said it was possible Hounsome had fled from a previous incident and hidden in the freezer. He said: When he came to, he found he had injuries but doesnt know how he got those injuries.

Prosecuting, Mr Tim Roberts, told the court: He seemed to suggest that he had gone there to pay a bill but, at two oclock in the morning, that doesnt seem feasible.

Hounsome, of 4 Birchmead, Mount Estate, had appeared before magistrates last Monday when he admitted another drink-related offence. On that occasion, magistrates sentenced him to a community rehabilitation order to include alcohol counselling.

For the freezer escapade, Hounsome was fined £50 ordered to pay £50 in prosecution costs and £35 compensation to the Merchant Fish Market for damage to the door and ten fish boxes.