A Llecrhyd man’s “stupidity” delayed a police armed response unit after he drunkenly confronted officers, magistrates have heard.

Gareth James Edwards, 29, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Cardigan on 20 July with prosecutor Kevin Challinor saying Edwards had “detained a valuable police resource”.

Mr Challinor said Edwards, of 33B Glannant, was seen by the armed response unit standing in the middle of the road at around midnight.

Officers from the unit tried to speak to Edwards to get him to move, but he became abusive and aggressive, telling one of the officers to “f*** off”.

Mr Challinor said Edwards continued to shout and swear at officers and was trying to start fights with members of the public.

As the armed response unit was required to cover elsewhere, they had to call in other officers to deal with Edwards, but he continued to threaten and shout at the armed officers, as well as the other officers who attended.

Edwards, who had been staying at the Angel Hotel, was taken back there, but refused to go inside and kept threatening officers saying “I’ll have you”.

Mr Challinor said: “The knock-on effect of this stupidity detained a valuable police resource.”

Edwards, who represented himself, apologised in court and said he wanted to apologise to the officers involved.

He said that since the incident he had sought help from an agency about his drinking.

Edwards was fined £80 and will pay costs of £117.