'Wild punches' were thrown when a drunk Hakin man was approached by a former schoolmate.

Patrick McManaman, of Hubberston Road, was due to stand trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Wednesday, November 6, but pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage at the start of the hearing.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the court that Milford Haven resident Adam Norris was woken by the sound of someone banging loudly on his door at 12.30am on May 24.

He found that the door had opened when he went to investigate, and went outside to see if he could find the person responsible.

Mr Norris spotted McManaman, 26, who he knew from his school days, and asked if he had seen anything.

McManaman started swinging punches at him, but was so drunk that none of the blows made contact, he then grabbed Mr Norris’ clothing, causing him to fall to the floor and cut his elbow which bled for some time afterwards.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “The defendant then wondered off down the road. In his drunken state, for no apparent reason, he kicked the panel of The Best One shop door.”

The shop owner found he was unable to open the door properly when he arrived the following day, and spent £8.50 repairing it.

Mark Layton, defending, said McManaman had a few drinks on the night in question, but there was no suggestion that he had been kicking Mr Norris’ door.

“Mr McManaman, worse for drink, threw some wild punches which did not make contact at all, but he did pull him to the floor and he is very sorry for that.”

Magistrates imposed a 12 month community order with a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement and a three month tagged 7pm to 7am curfew.

McManaman was ordered to pay £75 compensation to Mr Norris and £8.50 to the shop owner.

He will also pay £300 costs and an £85 surcharge.