AN Aberystwyth teenager who told another bus passenger that he’d “sort you out outside” was “reckless” when he tried to jump over the other man and ended up kicking him in the head.

Connor Ward, of 17 Cae Job, Penparcau, pleaded guilty to assaulting William Huw Benjamin on 9 September, but on a basis that he had been reckless and accidentally caught Mr Benjamin in the face with his foot. Ward had initially denied assaulting Mr Benjamin.

Prosecutor Steve Davies said 18-year-old Ward was with friends on a bus at Aberystwyth bus interchange shortly before 9pm when Mr Benjamin, his wife and some friends also got on the bus.

The group Ward was part of were shouting and swearing and ended up being confronted by one of Mr Benjamin’s friends, with Mr Benjamin intervening.

But Mr Davies said someone in Ward’s group swore at Mr Benjamin’s wife which led to the bus driver having to intervene and asking Ward and his friends to get off the bus.

As Ward walked past Mr Benjamin, he said: “Get off and I’ll sort you out outside”.

In a statement to police, Mr Benjamin said he had been drinking during the evening and did get off the bus which he now realised was a foolish decision but was angry at how his wife had been spoken to.

He said that he didn’t remember anything about what happened after that until he woke up in hospital after receiving stitches for a head wound.

Mr Davies said another witness saw Mr Benjamin approach Ward but saw him lose his footing and fall as he got close and bang his head on the floor.

The witness claimed he saw Ward kick out with his foot as he was being pushed away from Mr Benjamin.

Following his arrest Ward said he had been drunk and couldn’t remember what had happened.

However, defence solicitor Alan Lewis said after studying CCTV footage it was accepted that while Ward was not responsible for the head injury Mr Benjamin had suffered, he had caught Mr Benjamin with his foot.

Mr Lewis said Ward had tried to jump over Mr Benjamin while he was on the floor but had caught him with his foot, which Mr Lewis said was reckless.

Magistrates heard that Ward is currently subject to a suspended sentence after being convicted in October of affray and wounding in Swansea Crown Court after an incident at McDonalds in July.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order and Ward, who is now hoping to find an apprenticeship and a full-time job, has to complete 20 thinking skills sessions, 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 40 hours of unpaid work. He will also pay costs of £85.