A Cardigan man, tasered by police who found him ‘acting like a dog’, has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Aaron Nathaniel Simpson, aged 22, of 35 Maeshenffordd, appeared before Aberystwyth magistrates for sentencing on Wednesday.

He previously pleaded guilty to affray and assaulting a police officer at an earlier hearing, and a report was completed by the probation service.

The court heard that police went to a flat in Pendre on June 13, after members of the public reported noises.

Simpson was found in the bed-room on all-fours, bare-chested and rocking back and fore.

He swore at police and threw a shelf and a metal washing basket at them, before being tasered and sprayed with incapacitating spray.

He continued to struggle and spat at officers who handcuffed him.

Alan Lewis, defending, said he had known Simpson for some time, and he was clearly suffering from a medical problem, and had undergone various tests and scans.

He added that he was also suffering from depression.

Mr Lewis said: “It’s absolutely bizarre behaviour. He was rocking back and fore and behaving like a dog.

“The next day he had no recollection of what happened, and was very concerned, very frightened and disturbed by it.

“He could not believe he had done it, he’s morbidly embarrassed by it.”

Magistrates sentenced Simpson to 13 weeks for each offence, to run concurrently, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete 50 hours work in the community, and to pay £85 costs, an £80 victim surcharge and £150 compensation to the officer assaulted.