A MOURNER threatened a landlord with an acid attack and arson, and assaulted him after being barred from a wake, a court has heard.
Jake Stewart, aged 26, of Pant Glas, Tregaron, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour, when he appeared before Aberystwyth magistrates on Wednesday.
The court heard that Stewart had attended a friend’s funeral on April 2, but had been previously banned from the Talbot Hotel, Tregaron, where the wake was being held.
Landlord Michael Taylor arrived at the premises at around 7pm, after being called by a member of staff stating Stewart was refusing to leave and wanted to speak to him.
Ellie Morgan, prosecuting, said: “The defendant got out of his vehicle and the victim could see is was very agitated.
“He started shouting and threatened to throw acid in Mr Taylor’s face and his wife’s face, and to burn his house down.”
Another man was attempting to restrain Stewart, but he came up to Mr Taylor and slapped him across the face, then grabbed him and ripped his shirt.
Miss Morgan added: “The whole incident lasted about five minutes, and Jake Stewart was in Mr Taylor’s face for most of the time.”
A victim impact statement provided by Mr Taylor said the incident had left him ‘shaken and shocked’, and he was ‘extremely concerned’ about Stewart’s behaviour and the threats made.
In interview Stewart told police that banned people were able to attend a wake at the Talbot Hotel five weeks ago, and he thought the staff would let him in on the day in question.
He added that the landlord had said something which provoked his response, but he could not remember making any threats regarding acid or arson.
Miss Morgan added: “He said it had been a heart-breaking day for everyone concerned because of the wake.”
Janan Jones, defending, told the court her client was not drunk on the day of the incident, but feelings were running high, and he felt provoked because he was unable to go to the wake.
She said: “There had been a funeral for a very young girl who had committed suicide, who was a close friend of Jake Stewart.
“He wanted to attend the wake and wanted to speak to the landlord.”
Miss Jones added that Mr Taylor suffered very little injury, and Stewart had pushed him away because he was ‘in his face’.
Following a report from the probation service, magistrates imposed a 12 month community order with 100 hours unpaid work.
Stewart was ordered to pay £50 compensation to Mr Taylor, plus £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
The presiding magistrate said: “You let yourself down on that day.”
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