A ‘disorientated’ Cilgerran labourer swore and lunged at a police officer who found him in the gents toilets after a night out.

Gareth Thomas Lawrence, aged 23, of Trebannog, Penllyn, entered a guilty plea to disorderly behaviour, when he appeared before Aberystwyth magistrates on Wednesday.

The court heard that police were called to Aberystwyth University at 7.30am on October 10, following reports that a man was behaving aggressively, and had been detained in the gents’ toilets.

The female officer who attended said the defendant came towards her swearing. She tried to calm him down, but he continued to swear at her.

Nick Newton, prosecuting, said: “She alleges he tried to punch her, but she stepped back. He then lunged towards her and there was then a struggle.”

Lawrence was arrested and taken to Cardigan police station where he apologised for his behaviour.

Alan Lewis, defending, told the court his client had been for a night out at the student union and experienced a strange affect after drinking alcohol, which he had not experienced before.

Mr Lewis said: “His drink may have been spiked. He has little recollection and may have fallen asleep. He was very disorientated.”

Mr Lewis added that Lawrence had not drunk alcohol since the incident, and was now ‘keeping his head down’.

He said: “The affects of that night scared him very much. He is deeply ashamed and has asked me to apologise to the officer for the language used.”

Magistrates fined self-employed Lawrence £85, and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.