AN UPPER Brynamman man kicked and bit police officers who were called after he had attempted to commit suicide, Carmarthen magistrates heard yesterday.

The court heard that James Nathan Halsall, 21, of Station Road, had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers PC Davies and PC Rees at Carmarthen Police Station.

Prosecutor David Weale said the officers were called to Glangwili hospital at 6.10pm on October 11, 2009, after Halsall had become violent and refused treatment.

Halsall was detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to Carmarthen Police Station, where he became aggressive, biting PC Davies's left thigh and kicking out at PC Rees's leg twice.

Defending, Peter Rhys-Jones said the case had been delayed as Halsall had been imprisoned for other matters since the date of the offence.

Describing the offence, he said: "He was clearly not in his right mind at the time.

"His partner of two years had told him he was not the father of his child. He reacted badly, he took drugs and tried to kill himself."

Magistrates declined jurisdiction in sentencing, sending the case to Swansea Crown Court on Friday, November 5.