A LAMPETER student headbutted a man in a row over an axe belonging to the university’s Viking Society, magistrates have heard.

Aidan Paul Devlin, 21, admitted assaulting Alexander Childs by headbutting him because he thought Mr Childs had “smirked” at him during a confrontation on 27 May.

Devlin pleaded guilty to the assault as well as possession of cannabis on the same day.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan said Mr Childs had gone to a shop in Lampeter town centre when he heard someone shout his name.

He was approached by Devlin, a second-year student, who had been out with a group of friends.

Devlin, of 16 Juniper Way, Twinbrook in Belfast, first asked Mr Childs if he knew he was before telling Mr Childs his name and that he was a member of the Viking Society, which carries out battle reenactments.

He then asked Mr Childs about an axe which belonged to the society as he thought Mr Childs had knowledge of it, with Mr Childs denied.

However, as Mr Childs went to walk away, Devlin grabbed him and swore at him before headbutting him to the nose, causing a nose bleed and scratching Mr Childs’ nose.

After the assault was reported to police Devlin was arrested at his room, with a police officer smelling cannabis which led to Devlin handing over a grinder containing a small amount of cannabis.

In a police interview Devlin admitted headbutting Mr Childs, saying that he had been angry after he thought Mr Childs smirked at him.

He also admitted the cannabis was his and said he used it to help with back pain.

Janem Jones, defending Devlin, said Devlin accepted it was unacceptable for him to lose his temper as he did and said he had sought anger management counselling to help control his temper.

She said the incident was unlikely to be repeated as Devlin felt “punished” that he had been taken to court.

Ms Jones said: “It should not have happened, and should certainly not have happened between university students, but I hope you can be confident this will never happen again.”

Devlin was fined £120, but will also pay £100 compensation to Mr Childs as well as costs of £115.