Wheelchair man's van row arrest

Martin James being arrested in Carmarthen - photographed at the scene and shown to magistrates

A wheelchair user has gone on trial after a row escalated over a police van parked outside an officer's home.

Martin James, 47, from Carmarthen, denies a public order offence and assaulting a police constable.

It is alleged he continuously swore, insulted and spat at police and once in custody, twice slapped an officer.

He was having his photo taken for a local newspaper next to the van when the row started and led to his arrest, Llanelli magistrates heard.

Mr James, who lived in a nearby street, had contacted the paper to complain about the way the van was parked in the cul-de-sac.

They were only trying to restrain him to prevent him from lashing out Pc Andrew Edwards

Prosecuting, David Haines said at around 1500 on 19 May, an off-duty officer was returning to his house in the Llangunnor area after picking up his daughter from school.

He noticed Mr James near to the police van and a photographer from the Carmarthen Journal taking his picture.

When the officer approached him and asked what he was doing, Mr James became "abusive and very agitated," said Mr Haines.

The van belonged to another off-duty officer, Andrew Edwards, a police dog handler, who lived in the cul-de-sac. Pc Edwards was called and around the same time, a CID officer, who was passing, also stopped.

'Very upsetting'

Pc Edwards told the court the van was parked at the top of his drive, with two wheels on the pavement, which was on a private road, maintained by himself and his neighbours.

He denied the van was blocking the pavement and said: "There was sufficient room for people to pass - but at the end of the day, it's my land."

Pc Edwards told magistrates Mr James subjected himself and the other two officers to a "barrage of abuse".

Martin Jones denies assault and a public order offence in the case before Llanelli magistrates

He said Mr James was also spitting at them and would not calm down.

Back-up was called for, and another police van and patrol car attended.

Pc Edwards told magistrates Mr James was restrained, lifted out of his wheelchair and placed in the back of the van.

Photographs of the arrest, which were taken by the Journal, were shown to the bench.

Carina Hughes, defending Mr James, suggested the officers were heavy-handed and simply "flung" Mr James into the back of the van.

But Pc Edwards said they were "very gentle with him."

"They were only trying to restrain him to prevent him from lashing out. There was no other course of action, except for possibly getting an ambulance to assist with the arrest of Mr James.

"I found the situation very upsetting."

It is alleged when Mr James arrived at Carmarthen police station, he twice lashed out at an officer. Pc Christopher Phillips told the court he witnessed the assault.

Pc Phillips said Mr James was constantly calling him and his colleagues "paedophiles and rapists."

The case is due to resume on Wednesday.