A MAN who launched an unprovoked attack on two men in Aberystwyth town centre and then kicked a police custody officer has been jailed for 12 weeks.

David Robert Lloyd, 25, assaulted Sion Edwards and Barry Rowlands after initially approaching them to ask for a cigarette.

Lloyd, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to assault on Mr Edwards and Mr Rowlands, assaulting police custody officer Carwyn Weller, criminal damage after knocking Mr Edwards’ phone from his hand and threatening behaviour overnight on 25 February­.

Prosecutor Rhian Jones told magistrates that Lloyd approached Mr Edwards and Mr Rowlands and asked for a cigarette.

After Mr Edwards said he had none left, but offered Lloyd the cigarette that he was smoking at the time, Lloyd became aggressive and said: “Come off camera and I’ll get my five friends”.

While they tried to walk away, Lloyd followed the two men and adopted a boxer’s stance.

When Mr Edwards tried to call the police, Lloyd knocked his phone to the floor, smashing the screen.

While a passerby tried to help, Lloyd became aggressive and punched the passerby before Mr Edwards tried to restrain him.

Ms Jones said Lloyd then tried to bite Mr Edwards during a struggle before he became involved in a scuffle­ with Mr Rowlands and punched him in the shoulder.

After being arrested, Lloyd was taken to Aberystwyth Police Station and while being restrained he kicked out, catching Mr Weller in the head.

Ms Jones said that none of the three men assaulted had suffered major injuries.

Defence solicitor Janem Jones said Lloyd had “lost complete control of himself” during the incident and accepts that he needs help to control his temper.

She said that while Lloyd accepted assaulting Mr Edwards and Mr Rowlands, no serious injury had been caused.

The criminal damage to the phone had been reckless with Lloyd not intending to cause any damage, while Ms Jones said Lloyd had lashed out and kicked Mr Weller but had not intended to.

Lloyd, who is currently remanded in custody for an unrelated incident, was given a 12-week prison sentence after magistrates said they had few options in sentencing him, and will pay a victim surcharge of £115.