Vodka, beer and drugs led to police officers being kicked, a woman assaulted and broken spindles, a court has heard.

Ben Phillips, of Laugharne Close, Golden Hill, Pembroke, appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Wednesday, March 27.

Phillips, 28, previously pleaded guilty to assault by beating, two charges of assaulting an emergency worker and attempted theft from a shop.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said Phillips had argued with his partner of nearly four years on March 10.

“It culminated when he lost his temper and assaulted her when she started to walk up the stairs.”

The court heard that Phillips grabbed the victim’s hair and pulled her backwards, then put his hand around her neck and strangled her.

She stated she was unable to scream because it was hard for her to breath. Phillips then smashed her head against the spindles.

She pushed him back and he fell, breaking a few spindles. A neighbour called the police, who reached in through a window and were able to handcuff Phillips before climbing into the house.

Phillips squared up to the officers who put him on the sofa, and he kicked out catching them both.

He was restrained, but resisted and spat as he was put into the police car.

The bench was told that Phillips attempted to steal a trolley full of goods worth £408.77 from the Co-op, Kilgetty, on January 12, but abandoned it when confronted outside the store and drove away.

Referring to the assault, Mike Kelleher, defending, said: “It was a very confusing situation. Both were under the influence. She said it was all a bit hazy.”

He added that Phillips had also sustained injuries during the incident, and had spent a week in custody, which had been a ‘very salutary experience’.

The court heard that Phillips and his partner had drank vodka and beer through the previous night, and Phillips had taken ten Xanex tablets.

Magistrates imposed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and ordered him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation activity.

Phillips will also pay £100 compensation to his former partner and £200 in costs and a surcharge.

A restraining order was imposed prohibiting Phillips from contacting the victim for three years.