A Pembroke Dock man has been sent to prison for a year after he pulled a knife from his pocket and head-butted his victim.

Richard James John, Meyrick Street, appeared from custody at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Wednesday, March 20.

He pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, damaging a mobile phone, cannabis possession and possession of a Stanley knife in Pembroke Dock.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, said the complainant realised that John, known to him as ‘Pudding’ called at his home at 10pm on March 18, and asked to borrow money.

John, 35, started fiddling with some cannabis on the coffee table, which the complainant had for medical use.

He was given some money and cannabis in the hope he would leave, but returned later with beer in a carrier bag, and said: “What would you do if I pulled out a knife in front of your kid?”

Miss Vaughan said: “He was told to leave, but became aggressive and pulled the knife out of his pocket.”

There was some pushing as John held the knife, he then followed the victim into the living room and pushed him.

He kicked out at the dog when it started barking, head-butted the victim twice, causing injury, and tried to break a mobile phone by twisting it.

John came right up to the complainant’s face and stated: “I will kill you and your family and friends.”

The complainant’s teenage step-son was told to call the police and John had to be physically pushed out of the property.

A gram of cannabis was recovered when John was arrested, and he stated he had a legitimate reason for having the knife, which he had forgotten was in his pocket.

Tom Lloyd, defending, said John was going through a particularly difficult time.

“The defendant understands that his behaviour was totally unacceptable. There is genuine remorse from him.

“There was an argument and things came to a head. He accepts he took things far too far. He hopes that the victim is okay.”

Mr Lloyd added that John’s mental health issues had ‘spiralled out of control’, and he had been self-medicating with alcohol and cannabis, which he realised made his position even worse.

“He hopes in prison to get the help he needs with alcohol, cannabis and his mental health, and to come out to a fresh start.”

Magistrates accepted jurisdiction and sent John to prison for 52 weeks. He was ordered to pay £190 compensation, £85 costs and a £140 surcharge.

A destruction order was made for the knife and drugs.