A MAN threatened to headbutt Aberystwyth police officers after they said they were going to search him after being tipped off he had a knife.

Eric Patrick Byrne, 29, told magistrates that he had suffered a “slight relapse” in his fight against alcohol issues when he threatened and swore at police officers in Aberystwyth on 13 November. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

Prosecutor Kevin Challinor said police officers were approached by a member of the public shortly after midnight who said that they had seen Byrne in possession of a knife.

When officers spoke to him and said they were planning to search him, Byrne asked what they were arresting him for and under what section.

But after being told by officers that they weren’t arresting Byrne, of 31 Wellers Grove in Cheshunt, he became abusive and aggressive.

Despite being warned about swearing, Byrne continued to shout abuse at the officers and threatened to headbutt them.

Officers arrested Byrne, but he continued to shout and swear and make threats toward them.

Byrne, who represented himself, told magistrates that he had been drunk at the time and couldn’t really remember the incident.

However, he said that he had been addressing his issues with alcohol, but suffered occasional “slight relapses” including that night.

Byrne said he was in Aberystwyth as he is working “on trial” at the fun fair in town before starting a full time job with the fair in February next year. He was fined £80 and will pay costs of £115.