A LLANDEILO teenager had to be subdued with CS spray after he attacked a police officer while on a drunken rampage in the town earlier this month.

Clive O'Connor, of 5 Rhosmaen Street, was told that he was extremely lucky to have escaped jail after magistrates heard how the incident was the 18-year-old's second assault on a police officer.

The court heard how officers were called to an incident outside the Castle Hotel during the early hours of Sunday, May 13.

When officers attended the scene they saw that the pub's promotional material, including Grolsch Beer banners, had been removed and damaged.

When officers spoke to O'Connor, who had stayed at the scene, he claimed that he had accidentally fallen into and broken the banners because of his drunken state.

When the officers told O'Connor that they had already viewed CCTV footage showing him damaging the banners, unemployed O'Connor began lashing out and aiming kicks at the officers.

The court heard how O'Connor kicked at least one officer before being subdued with the debilitating spray.

O'Connor, who was described by prosecutors as extremely intoxicated, was taken to Carmarthen police station, where he eventually admitted causing criminal damage.

In interview, he told officers that he was a regular at the Castle Hotel and had been drinking with two friends when another group of individuals arrived.

Aled Owen, defending, claimed that O'Connor had a long-standing issue with some members of the second group and decided to avoid any confrontation by leaving the pub.

Mr Owen said that O'Connor had damaged the banners once he had left the building.

The police had then arrived and tried to take hold of O'Connor, who struggled and lashed out, accidentally kicking one officer, said Mr Owen.

"He was under the influence of alcohol," said Mr Owen. "He admits he was reckless and that his actions were could not be justified."

Magistrates told O'Connor that he was extremely lucky to have avoided jail "If you do this again, we do not think that anything will stop you being sent to prison," said the magistrates.

They ordered O'Connor pay £60 court costs and £100 compensation.

O'Connor was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.