A Newtown businessman who got into a row at a pizza restaurant was fined after he swore at the owner while getting a takeaway.

Hopkins Steel owner Gary Edkins, of Oaklands Park, Newtown pleaded guilty to a charge of using insulting words during a hearing at Welshpool Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 19.

The court was told that a family feud had spilled over during an incident in July where the defendant had initially gone to settle the source of his differences with '7 Pizza Parlour' owner Andrew Meek.

Prosecuting, Helen Tench told the court how at around 6.30pm on July 10, 52-year-old Edkins had gone into town to get fish and chips with his wife from a nearby establishment, and had decided to enter the pizza shop on Severn Street to talk to Mr Meek.

The defendant had then put down a £10 note on the counter and said to staff: 'I'd like to buy the owner a drink'.

When Mr Meek failed to take him up on his offer, he was said to have used insulting words towards him before leaving and continuing to wait outside, leaning on his vehicle.

The victim then claimed he had used further abusive language towards him in front of his young daughter, which the defendant disputed.

Defending, Paul Inns said his client had entered the establishment 'with the best of intentions' with the aim of trying to smooth over the row between the two families over a drink in a nearby pub.

He added that his client had not gone into town with the purpose of seeking out the victim, but had taken a spur of the moment decision to go in, having spent the afternoon at a memorial golf tournament for his late friend.

Edkins, he claims, had uttered the words 'under his breath' - He said the two men had been long term friends, having played in the same football team for 15 years, and that on the day emotions had been running high resulting in his 'entirely out of character' behaviour.

Edkins was fined £293 and ordered to pay costs of £85.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34.