A WESTERN Telegraph reporter watched in horror today as a convicted sex offender slit his own throat while stood in the dock at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Lukasz Robert Pawlowski, 33, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock was appearing for sentencing for sexual assault when he suddenly cut at his neck.

The incident happened at around 10.20am.

The Western Telegraph reporter said: “The defendant was in the dock for his sentencing hearing when he attracted his solicitor’s attention to ask to be allowed to go to the toilet.

“He returned to the dock very quickly, remained standing then muttered something through the glass.

“Suddenly everyone in the courtroom turned as he made stabbing motions at his neck.

"He made several frantic jabs at his throat.

“The alarm was raised and the clerk rang the emergency services while court staff rushed in to administer first aid.

“I couldn’t see what he had in his hand, but some-one shouted ‘he’s got a knife’, and people came rushing into the room.”

She added: “It was difficult to believe what was happening, I was shocked, there was a moment where I thought he was going to die right in front of me.

“I’m not sure if he lost consciousness, I could hear the paramedics calling his name.

“Two nurses who were in the building were called in to the room to help, and applied pressure to the wound. That’s when it became apparent that he was losing quite a lot of blood.

“It all happened so quickly, the paramedics and police were on the scene really quickly and treated him in the dock as the court was sealed off.

“It was a surreal situation, and I think everyone was quite shaken, but the court staff were very supportive and professional throughout.”

The courtroom was closed, and cases were adjourned.

The Wales Air Ambulance was called to the scene, along with land ambulances and several police units, and Pawlowski was airlifted to Morriston Hospital.

See earlier story here.