A LANDLORD has been found guilty of assaulting two police officers during a mass disturbance after Swansea's 3-2 victory over rivals Cardiff City last November.

Yesterday city magistrates convicted Railway Inn publican Stephen Clive Jones, 41, of Pwll Street, Landore, of four licensing offences and the assaults of Sergeant Rhian Lloyd and police medic Paul Harward.

He was found not guilty of providing his pub customers with glass drinking receptacles two hours before and after the November 7 match, and allowing glass bottles to be taken out of the building.

Missiles

Trouble got under way after the final whistle at the Liberty Stadium when football fans threw missiles at police from the Landore pub's beer garden and surrounding areas.

During the trial the prosecution said Jones manhandled Sgt Lloyd by grabbing her body armour, before later punching PC Harward to the groin as he tried to treat him.

Jones denied all offences and claimed he never came into contact with Sgt Lloyd, and only hit PC Harward in self-defence after being struck by him.

In evidence PC Richard Pett, working alongside PC Harward, said his colleague had slapped Jones in "an instinctive shock tactic" after being punched by him.

Addressing Jones, court chairman Phil Llewellyn, said: "We have considered your version of self-defence and don't believe your version of events. It was an assault on a medic carrying out a duty to the public."

In reference to the assault on Sgt Lloyd, Mr Llewellyn said magistrates had viewed CCTV footage and Jones was the only person that could be seen on the floor, as she had described.

Giving evidence in the trial Sgt Lloyd had said she saw a man fall to the floor in the doorway of the pub, but could not identify whether it was Jones.

"I saw him dragged out of the door by police officers," she said.

"I assumed that the male person was injured. I shouted for a medic. I leaned over the male person and asked him if there was anything wrong."

She said the man then "grabbed hold of the neck" of her body armour, before swearing at her and pulling her towards him.

Sgt Lloyd said that when she couldn't release his grip, she kicked him hard, and he let go.

Mr Llewellyn, said: "We are sure having viewed the CCTV footage that Mr Jones was the only one on the floor. We therefore find you guilty."

Guilty

Defence barrister Philippa Ashworth asked the magistrates to clarify their findings in relation to two of the licensing guilty verdicts.

Following discussion Mr Llewellyn, said: "We have come to our finding on the facts as we realised them."

He later added: "You have the opportunity to appeal our decision."

Prosecutor Jonathan Coombes said Jones had been cautioned in 2007 for another licensing matter.

"It related to people taking drink and drinking outside the public house," said Miss Ashworth.

Sentencing was adjourned until October 1 for reports.