A Haverfordwest man who swung a walking stick at a police officer who offered to take him to hospital, has been the first Pembrokeshire person to face a new charge of assaulting an emergency worker.

Max Lawrence Kayode Huntley, of Coronation Avenue, appeared from custody at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, December 4.

He had pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and a recently introduced charge of assaulting an emergency worker, at an earlier hearing.

Hannah George, prosecuting, told the court that police were called to a Coronation Avenue chip shop at 5.50pm on November 29 and found Huntley sitting on the pavement with a walking stick.

Huntley did not want to speak to the officers, but explained that he wanted an ambulance and would walk into the road to get one.

Miss George said: “The officer tried to prevent him from walking into the road because he was concerned he would be hit by a car.

“The defendant was agitated when they tried to escort him out of the road. He shouted to members of the public to call the police because he believed the officers were assaulting him.”

Huntley, who claimed he had earlier suffered an epileptic fit, continued to be aggressive and was arrested. Checks revealed that no ambulances were available because of demand, and the officers offered to drive him to hospital.

The 31 year-old shouted that he wanted a taxi to take him to hospital as he walked into the road again, then dropped to the floor when the officers tried to get him to the pavement.

As they walked him to the police vehicle Huntley swung his walking stick, making contact with the officer’s leg and pushed another in the chest.

Incapacitating spray was used to bring Huntley under control as he continued his agitated behaviour.

The court heard that he had previous convictions for assaulting police officers.

Mark Layton, defending, handed the bench a letter from a local pharmacy stating there were concerns about Huntley when the ambulance was called, and told magistrates that Huntley had been in custody since the weekend.

“Mr Huntley was unwell, wanting an ambulance.

“He does show genuine remorse.”

Mr Layton added that Huntley suffered from epilepsy which caused loss of memory, and Asperger syndrome which caused him difficulties with social interaction.

Magistrates sentenced Huntley to 16 weeks in prison and imposed a £115 surcharge.