A Tenby man who assaulted another male on the dancefloor of a club in the resort has been warned in court to stay out of trouble for the next year.

Thirty-four-year-old Philip Gerald Cattlin, of Narberth Road, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Justin Dackins, on January 10, when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor David Folland told the court that the incident took place at the Prince of Wales, at around 1 am, after the complainant had been talking to two females at the DJ booth of the club, one of which transpired to be Mr. Cattlin’s girlfriend.

“Mr. Dackins was asking the female if the DJ took requests, when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and when he turned around was headbutted on the bridge of the nose by the defendant,” he explained.

“Bouncers grabbed the victim who pointed out to them that he’d just been assaulted and wanted the police involved,” continued Mr. Folland.

Outside the premises on Upper Frog Street, police officers tracked down Mr. Cattlin, who admitted the assault and stated: “I did it. He asked about my girlfriend, before tapping her on the backside, so I headbutted him.”

“After being arrested, Mr. Cattlin said in a police interview that he shouldn’t have done it, and that he was drunk, but not paralytic ” added Mr. Folland.

Defence solicitor, Mr. Jonathan Webb told magistrates that his client had been out for a meal with his girlfriend and a group of other couples that night, before coming into Tenby.

“They visited Bar 10 where a group of younger lads unknown to the party started dancing around some of the females.

“One of them eyed Mr. Cattlin up and down, and an hour or two later in the Prince of Wales, the same male walks up to him and says ‘is that your girlfriend?’, before grabbing her bottom,” said Mr. Webb.

“I don’t think it’s right that my client is denied a caution when the victim is clearly the instigator,” he added.

Mr. Cattlin accepted in the police interview that he was remorseful and had overreacted, remarking, “It’s unacceptable, but like I said, it’s not for no reason.” in regard to the assault.

Chief magistrate David Ellis said they accepted that there was provocation, but that nevertheless Mr. Cattlin had gone too far, before giving him a 12-month conditional discharge.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £85, a £15 victim surcharge, and compensation of £100 to the victim.