A GWAUN-CAE-GURWEN man assaulted a police officer in a booze-fuelled rage after downing a pint of spirits, eight pints of lager and a bottle of Jack Daniels, a court has heard.

Michael Shaun Dando, of 5 Crescent Road, had gone on a drinking session at the Farmers Arms, Glanaman, on Friday, January 26, after a close friend had died days before.

Vaughan Pritchard Jones, prosecuting, told the court that police received a call at 5pm from a member of the public who had spotted a drunken man loitering near a bus stop close to the pub. PC Evans arrived to find the 24-year-old in the shelter.

"He could tell that the defendant was highly intoxicated and asked him if he had taken anything with the alcohol," he said. "The defendant replied that he had taken a few pills, but didn't know what they were."

PC Evans called for an ambulance and asked for Dando to get into the back of the police car, which he did. "He started punching the inside of the car, so PC Evans got him out and asked him to sit in the bus stop."

Dando then became abusive and PC Evans called for back-up. But as the officer tried to make Dando sit on the floor, he was grabbed and punched in the face and side, and kicked as the other officers arrived.

In an interview, Dando, who suffers from depression, epilepsy and Tourette's Syndrome, accepted the version of events submitted by PC Evans because he could not remember.

"He said that he had a pint of spirits, eight pints of strong lager and a bottle of Jack Daniels.

"But I think he must be exaggerating because if he had drunk that much, he would be dead," said Mr Pritchard Jones.

Dando's defence solicitor said that he had a series of illnesses and that he took his depression out on drink.

"He had lost a close friend a few days before and that was the reason he was drinking," he said.

Magistrates called for a pre-sentence report to be compiled with a supervision order in mind.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, February 22.