A drunk teenager with aspirations to join the armed forces destroyed duck and hedgehog garden ornaments.

Ethan Shay Rich, of Cwmann, Lampeter, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday. August 7.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the court that Rich got very drunk in Haverfordwest on July 18, and was described as ‘drunk and aggressive’ by a witness who saw him shouting as he walked out of town at 9.30pm.

Rich became abusive towards the witness who intervened when he got into a fight, and jumped into the man’s next door neighbour’s garden when he arrived home.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “He launched himself at the front window, fortunately it did not break, but it vibrated with the impact.”

Rich, 19, then started kicking garden ornaments, picking one up and smashing it.

A duck and a hedgehog were both smashed beyond repair.

When interviewed, Rich, told officers he could not remember damaging the items, but apologised and offered to pay for them.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said: “Mr Rich has no idea what happened, he was extremely drunk.

“He is ashamed of his behaviour and his family are very disappointed. He feels he has let himself down and let them down.”

Mr Kelleher added that Rich had not drunk any alcohol for two weeks and had contacted his doctor and an organisation for assistance.

The court heard that Rich, who was currently on benefits, had applied to join the army, but was concerned that the offence could affect his chances of being accepted.

Mr Kelleher said: “He realises that the army will not want someone who behaves like this, but perhaps the army will be the making of him if he is allowed to join.”

Rich was fined £80 and ordered to pay £50 compensation for the ornaments, plus £115 in costs and a surcharge.

The chairman of the bench said: “It’s a very dangerous thing to be so drunk that you can’t remember what happened.”