A NEWTOWN man has been hit with a fine – after throwing water over two police officers.

Jodie Bevan was already in custody at Newtown Police Station on June 27, having been arrested for a separate matter, when the 42-year-old became irate and launched a cup of water at Detective Constable Bond and Sergeant Rutter.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting an emergency worker when appearing at Welshpool Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 27.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said it was around midday on June 27 when Bevan was brought into custody after being arrested in a separate incident.

“The defendant picked up cup of water and threw it at the officers, who were both covered in water,” she said.

“Both Sergeant Rutter and DC Bond were hit on the upper part of their uniforms. The defendant was re-arrested for assaulting the police officers.

“Both officers remained on duty with wet tops. When he was interviewed the defendant said he was given a cup of water, had drunk a little bit of it, and ‘just threw it’.

“He apologised and said ‘I’m sorry for what I did, it was just frustration’”.

Acting for the defendant, of Penyparc Flats, Newtown, Paul Inns said his client had been fully cooperative with the police throughout the whole process.

“This is a case of his frustration getting the better of him,” said Mr Inns.

“Mr Bevan was arrested for a separate incident, he waited to be arrested at the scene as he felt he had done nothing wrong. It was distressing for him to be arrested. He was placed in a cell. It should be noted that in relation to the previous allegation made against him, no further action has been taken.

“It was a plastic item that he had drunk from, he simply chucked it behind him, which was a reckless act, and the water went all over the two officers.

“There were no injuries caused to either officer, it was more a case of them being in discomfort because the water soaked items of clothing that they were wearing.”

Chair of the bench, Rebecca Klug, said: “Normally this offence would be categorised only as a conditional discharge, but because the offence was committed against emergency workers, we have upgraded it to band A fine. We have considered compensation but we are not awarding any due to the fact there were no injuries.”

Magistrates fined Bevan £130 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £34 surcharge.