A Milford Haven man, who smashed a taxi window and attacked the driver to dodge paying the fare, has been given 18 months of community work.

Anthony Thomas, aged 22, of Great North Road, was arrested after smashing a taxi window and assaulting the driver to avoid paying the £71 fare that his girlfriend’s sister clocked up.

Thomas was pressured into doing whatever it took to get his girlfriend’s sister out of Milford Haven, where she was involved in a violent argument, the court was told.

David Weale, prosecuting, said that Thomas ordered a taxi to Neyland, armed himself with a piece of wood to frighten the driver, but decided to smash the window.

He said: “Mr Thomas had no intention of paying the fare, so he turned to criminal damage, and armed himself with a weapon.”

Jon Tarrant, defending, said the incident outlined an extreme reaction by Thomas.

He said: “When I asked him why he had done it, he just put his head in his hands.

“There are possible imbalances in the way he judges his relationships, he almost feels like he is trying too hard, or that if he doesn’t do what he’s told, his relationship will fail.

“Mr Thomas’ partner was screaming and hysterical, because she felt that something bad was going to happen to her sister.

“The majority of people would have dealt with the situation, and wouldn’t have taken that extra step.

“There is something in Mr Thomas’ psyche that prompted him to act in the manner that he did.”

Thomas pleaded guilty to assault by beating and to causing criminal damage.

He was given an 18-month community order, including 18 months of community supervision and thinking skills programme, by magistrates.

Magistrates also ordered him to compensate the taxi driver £200 for his vehicle and £100 for his injuries, and pay £60 costs.