'SAN Miguel and the sun' spurred a Newtown man to kick a police officer in the chest after he was seen “going mad” at officers and local residents.

Sean Gareth Jones was initially seen by police “walking in a determined manner” with no shoes on towards the Maesyrhandir area of Newtown on the evening of April 22.

Jones became abusive and aggressive towards officers and was seen shouting at a woman over a garden fence during the incident before he was arrested, kicking PC Bufton in the chest as he was being put in a police van.

Welshpool Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday, May 11, that the 29-year-old couldn’t remember the incident or how he got cuts on his arms, legs and back.

He admitted a charge of assaulting an emergency worker at the hearing, as well as another charge of threatening behaviour.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the incident took place at around 8.15pm on April 22. “PC Green and Bufton saw the defendant walking in determined manner, with no shoes, towards Maesyrhandir,” said Mrs Tench.

“They went to follow him and were asked to stop on the side of the road by two boys who said a male was ‘going mad’. They located the defendant outside a property on Orchard Walk. He was abusive and was swearing at them and was arrested.

“He kicked out at PC Bufton in the chest area while he was in the back of the van, and was further arrested.

“In interview he told officers he had been working all day and had not eaten much. He said he had a few drinks in the garden and couldn’t remember where he was going when police arrested him or how he’d cut his hand. He had cuts on his arms, legs and back.

“He didn’t know why he didn’t have any shoes on. He said he couldn’t remember why he swore at officers or why he was shouting at a woman over a fence.

“He admitted it was not acceptable to do what he had done to the officers as he realised they were only doing their jobs. He apologised and admitted he was in the wrong.”

Acting for Jones, of Lon Derw, Newtown, Robert Hanratty said the kick on the officer was not deliberate.

“He was resisting arrest and it happened as he was being bundled into the van,” Mr Hanratty said of his client, who works for the local authority.

“PC Bufton reports no injuries or discomfort, there was no psychological trauma caused.

“He is very remorseful. It was a combination of few a San Miguels and the heat – this was the reason for his eccentric behaviour.”

Jones was fined £233 by magistrates and must also pay £85 costs and a £34 surcharge. Magistrates ordered no compensation for the officer and they issued no separate penalty for the second offence.