Incapacitating spray was used on a refuse collector and family members as he assaulted three police officers while being arrested.

Andrew Fairburn, of Chapel Street, Hakin, pleaded guilty to three charges of assaulting a police officer when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, October 2.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said two officers went to arrest Fairburn in Milford Haven on September 16, for an unrelated matter, which no further action was taken on.

Confrontational Fairburn, 30, told the officers he would not be going with the officers.

“Officers told him he was going to be arrested. He took his top off and was bare-chested, getting himself pumped up as if he was going to fight with the officers.”

Fairburn pushed one of the officers in the chest, causing him to fall backwards.

Mr Pritchard-Jones added: “The officer could tell he was not going to respond to gentle persuasion and sprayed him with pava

“Family members were trying to interfere with the arrest and two were also sprayed to get them to move back.”

The officers tried to get Fairburn into the vehicle, but he reacted by shoving one causing him to lose his balance and fall sustaining cuts and grazes.

He then grabbed the other officer by his body-armour and pinned him against a garage door.

Another officer arrived to assist and there was a violent struggle involving all four men as they attempted to restrain Fairburn, before they all fell to the floor.

He was finally restrained and arrested when officers were able to overpower him and place him in handcuffs.

In interview he stated that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time and had been angry and upset.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said Fairburn’s girlfriend, who was not impressed that he had been out all night, had called the police when he walked off to his parents’ house.

“He could not understand why the police were there to arrest him. With that much alcohol on board he could not comprehend the situation and did not want to go with them.”

Mr Kelleher added that the behaviour was out of character for Fairburn, who worked as a refuge collector for the local authority.

“He would like to apologise through me for his behaviour, he has no idea why he behaved in the way he did. Clearly the alcohol affected him.”

Magistrates fined Fairburn £153 and ordered him to pay £100 compensation each to two of the officers. He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £30 surcharge.

The chairman of the bench said: “This court takes a very dim view of someone who assaults police officers in the execution of their duties. I am sure you would not like to be assaulted in the execution of your duty.”