A Milford man has been fined in court after assaulting a student in the grounds of a college.

Twenty-two-year-old Gareth Bridges, of Haven Drive, Hakin, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to an assault which occurred at Pembrokeshire College on April 5.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that the complainant, a 19-year-old student, sent a Facebook message through a female friend’s mobile phone to the defendant, with four words ‘Hey you gorgeous tramp’.

“I don’t know what that means exactly, but Mr. Bridges clearly realised who sent it and went to the college to challenge the person.

“He pushed the victim, before grabbing him and punching him to the face two or three times, and then getting him in a headlock.

“The victim suffered minor injuries to his face. Mr. Bridges admitted the offence and told police that he had been so shocked when he received the message that he dropped his godson who he was holding at the time, but that doesn’t really make sense, as you wouldn’t drop a child!” added Mr. Pritchard-Jones.

Defence solicitor Katy Hanson told the court that Mr. Bridges and the complainant had a ‘history’.

“They know each other from school, and never got on or have seen eye to eye.

“Mr. Bridges suffers with autism which effects his temper. He hadn’t taken his medication on that morning, and that may have affected the way he behaved. “He has also been diagnosed with ADHD and that may also have played a part in the way he reacted,” added Miss Hanson.

Magistrates fined the defendant £40 and ordered him to pay £50 compensation to the victim.

Mr. Bridges was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.