A MACHYNLLETH man has admitted assault after camera footage emerged of him standing on the victim’s ankles to stop him escaping, magistrates have heard.

Thomas Byrne, of 1 Penrallt Street, pleaded guilty to assaulting Robert Sam Jones near the town’s clock tower on 4 July.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said that police were initially called by a member of the public who reported that a man was being assaulted by two males, but when police arrived there was nobody at the scene.

However, Mr Jones attended the police station the following day and reported the assault, saying that he was held down by one man and punched, while the other man, 27-year-old Byrne, stood on his ankles to stop him getting away.

After he was arrested, Byrne denied any incident involving Mr Jones, but Mr Jones gave police a memory stick with camera footage showing the assault and Byrne standing on his ankles.

After being shown the footage, Byrne admitted he had taken part in the assault.

Defence solicitor Janem Jones said Byrne admitted his part in the assault, but said the other male, who was not named, was “more culpable” but received a police caution, which Byrne did not as he has previous convictions.

Ms Jones said Byrne was disappointed at himself as he had not been in trouble for several years, but had recently been in trouble for an unrelated incident and the assault on Mr Jones.

Ms Jones said that, while the assault was relatively minor, Byrne recognised that the incident was unacceptable.

Byrne was fined £235 and will pay costs of £115.