Baton Pc feared 'a real kicking'

The trial continues at Carmarthen Crown Court

A policeman who hit two brothers with an extendable baton while off-duty after a row in a pub has told a jury he feared they would put him in hospital.

David Burrows, 43, said Edward and Sean Tyrrell came at him with fists raised outside his local Swansea Valley pub.

He denies two charges of unlawfully wounding, one of assault and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon.

The Carmarthen Crown Court jury heard one brother had a head injury and the other injuries to his back and arm.

Mr Burrows, a policeman since 1999, told the jury he visited the Travellers Well pub in Rhyd-y-fro after walking his dog on 23 September last year.

He said while he was at the bar Edward Tyrell threatened him for no reason.

It's very likely I would have been in hospital David Burrows

After finishing his drink he left and went home - returning about 2145 BST when he though the Tyrrells had gone.

But he said they were both still on the premises and Edward Tyrell started to abuse him again calling him "a snitch" and threatening to burn his house down.

Mr Burrows said he remained in the pub past midnight until he believed they had both left in a taxi but as he started to walk home he became aware he was being followed by one of their friends.

Raised fists

"Edward and Sean Tyrrell appeared from nowhere," he said.

"They were both coming at me with their fists raised. I thought I was going to get a real kicking."

He said he produced a non-police-issue extendable baton from his pocket which he used to hit the brothers in self-defence.

There was a row in a pub in Rhyd-y-fro, the trial heard

He also admitted taking a lock-knife from his other pocket and extending the blade for a "few seconds" to try and scare them off.

He said he usually carried a knife when walking his dog in case it became tangled in brambles but had forgotten to take it out of his pocket when he went home.

He said he knew as soon as he did it, it was "stupid", and put it back.

Asked what he thought would have happened to him if he had not used the baton, Mr Burrows said: "It's very likely I would have been in hospital.

"They would have caused me some very serious injuries."

Earlier the court heard evidence from the two brothers who claimed Mr Burrows had advanced on them threatening to kill them and swinging the baton wildly.

The trial continues.