A CARMARTHEN scaffolder who took to drinking after being unable to work through a drink-related injury squared up to police outside a town pub.

Appearing before Llanelli magistrates last Wednesday for sentencing, Scott Gary Reeves, 21, of Ross Avenue, had previously admitted using threatening behaviour on December 3 outside the Parrot public house in Carmarthen's King Street.

Reeves was also guilty of a breach of a 12-month conditional discharge imposed last August for criminal damage.

Prosecuting, Gerald Neave said Reeves adopted a fighting stance after police spoke to a group of people arguing outside the Parrot.

Swearing

Reeves swore at an officer, threatening to "drop him".

He was arrested after several attempts to stop him swearing.

Reeves had to be restrained using handcuffs and leg straps.

Dealing with the breach of a conditional discharge, Mr Neave said, on July 1, Reeves had been drinking at the town's New Stags Head pub, walking along St Mary Street and kicking the window of the nearby Andrew Price hairdressers.

Reeves sustained a serious leg injury and lost a large amount of blood after kicking out, collapsing nearby.

Reeves was found by ambulance crew who followed the trail of blood.

He was hospitalised at Glangwili for several days and was unable to work for months. Some £1,580 damage was caused, with an order for compensation made by a court in August.

Defending, Aled Owen said: "The events back in the summer play a part in this offence."

Stupidity

He said Reeves had been unable to work and his finances had "taken a real hit".

Mr Owen added: "When he felt low he went drinking with friends."

He said Reeves denied starting the December 3 altercation, adding: "He is suitably recovered from his stupidity back in the summer, and is hoping to start work with Castle Scaffolding.

"He is a young man who sometimes drinks to excess; he's been rather foolish on two occasions, he's paid a high price."

Magistrates heard Reeves owed £1,780 to the court and had only paid £10 compensation to Andrew Price hairdressers to date.

Reeves was placed on a 12- month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work