A Narberth man who took a steak knife out with him into town after he had been assaulted earlier that night, has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Twenty-nine-year-old Matthew Williams, of Market Street, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to a charge of possessing a knife in a public place, namely the Dragon Inn, on Water Street in Narberth.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court that the incident occurred on Saturday, February 10.

“It was around 11 pm when a door supervisor at the Dragon Inn was approached by Mr. Williams who told him that he was in possession of a knife and he wanted to cause himself harm,” she explained.

After a chat, the defendant handed the knife over to the doorman, who handed it to a security guard and the police were contacted.

“It was a wooden-handled steak knife, with a four-inch long blade,” continued Ms Morgan.

“After being arrested for possession of the knife, in a police interview the following morning, Mr. Williams told officers that he didn’t really remember the incident as he was quite drunk, as he had been out drinking all day.

“He said that he had been asked to leave the Dragon Inn and headed to the Eagle where he was punched in the face by someone. He told officers that he then went home and later answered a knock on his door, where he was then punched again by someone,” she explained.

The court heard how Mr. Williams told officers ‘I gathered myself in a rage and went out. I had no intention of doing anything, it was just anger’.

“Mr. Williams said that he had drunk ‘way too much’ and didn’t know why he had the knife on him,” said Ms Morgan.

“He said that it was ‘all a bit stupid’ and that his mental health state had not been good at that moment, and he had got emotional when speaking to the doorman who he knew,” she added.

Defence solicitor Mark Layton told the court that his client had been assaulted that night in town and then gone home.

“He was in a temper, but more relevant was his mental health at the time. He had seen the doorman who he knew from school and told him he had the knife.

“It was a bit of a cry for help, telling the person that he thought he was going to self harm.

“The only person at risk from his actions, was Mr. Williams himself,” added Mr. Layton.

Magistrates handed Mr. Williams a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and an £85 surcharge.