A HODGESTON man "pole axed" a man after drinking eight pints, two "bombs" of shorts and a vodka.

Stephen John, aged 34, later wrote a letter to Paul Culley apologising and handed it to Pembroke Dock police station.

Frank Phillips, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court the motive for the attack was still a mystery.

John, of Middle Farm, Hodgeston, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Phillips said both men had been drinking in the Castle Inn, Pembroke.

John asked Mr Culley, aged 64, to go outside "for a few words."

Both men sat on a bench and had a conversation before John suddenly knocked out Mr Culley with a single blow to his face.

The attack was witnessed by Andrew Phillips, a doorman at the Castle Inn, who knew John by sight.

After his arrest John told police he had drunk eight pints, two bombs and some vodka.

His barrister, Ian Ibrahim, said John, a refinery worker, would positively welcome the chance to pay Mr Culley compensation.

John was jailed for four months, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work for the community.

He was also ordered to pay Mr Culley £250 in compensation and a court surcharge of £115.