Asbo for Pc carrying baton in pub

The incident happened outside the Travellers' Well in Rhyd-y-fro

A policeman who took a baton into a pub has been given an Asbo banning him from the premises for two years.

David Burrows, 43, will resign from South Wales Police before he can be sacked, Swansea Crown Court was told.

Burrows, of Rhyd-y-fro, Pontardawe, who was found guilty last month of possessing a weapon in a public place, was also given a suspended jail term.

He was cleared of assault after saying he used the baton in defence against two brothers near the Travellers' Well.

The carrying of a weapon cannot be tolerated Judge Gerald Price

Passing sentence, Judge Gerald Price said he was "bewildered" by Burrows' behaviour.

As well as making the Pc the subject of an Anti-social Behaviour Order, he ordered Burrows to pay £600 costs.

"The carrying of a weapon cannot be tolerated," he added.

During last month's trial the jury heard that Burrows, a policeman since 1999, visited the pub in his home village after walking his dog on 23 September last year.

The court heard that while in the bar he was threatened by Edward Tyrrell.

Burrows had gone to his home and returned with one of a collection of batons he kept.

He told the court when he left at the end of the night he was confronted by the brothers outside.

He had admitted using the non-police issue baton to defend himself, causing a head injury to Edward Tyrrell and arm and chest injuries to Sean Tyrrell.

The court heard that the brothers had been to a funeral and had spent most of the day drinking - consuming up to 18 pints.

They said when Burrows left the pub after midnight he had advanced on them but he told the jury they were lying in wait for him outside.

Daniel Williams, representing Burrows, said he planned to resign from the police before being sacked.

"Edward Tyrrell had drunk two gallons of strong cider and was confrontational," he said.

"Not a pretty sight and someone to be avoided," he added.