A 25-year-old builder has been given a 12-month community order after punching a man and grabbing a woman while drunk in a Newtown car park.

Iran Richard Lane, of Gittins Street, Oswestry, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault of beating and one count of vehicle interference at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 3.

Magistrates heard that on Saturday, September 19, Lane approached Nathan Jones and his friend Jason Pugh at the Gravel car park requesting cocaine, which they did not have.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Lane then chased a group of teenage girls.

Siwan Head, a passenger in a parked Ford Galaxy car, was with her 14-year-old son, when she heard the girls screaming. She saw them running away looking “frightened” while Lane stood in the middle of the road “swaying from side to side” looking “annoyed”.

Lane then approached Mrs Head’s vehicle and put his head through the driver’s window which was down while Mrs Head’s husband was away from the vehicle. Lane told them that he “really needed cocaine” and asked them where the keys to the car and a phone were and started rummaging in the driver’s side.

Mrs Head told him to go away, and that his behaviour was scary for her and her son. She was worried that he would grab the car keys which had been left on the dashboard. She got out of the car and approached Lane, and he then pushed her and grabbed her arm but did not cause any injury.

Nathan Jones saw what was going on and decide to assist Mrs Head. Lane asked Mr Jones: “Are you starting or what?”, punched him in the jaw, and swung a punch at Mr Pugh, which missed. Police officers then saw Lane “acting aggressively” and restrained him on the ground while he continued to make threats.

Mrs Tench added that Lane had drunk too much vodka and that he recalled being restrained in the car park and placed in the police riot van.

Paul Inns, defending, said Lane had drunk a considerable excess while out marking the anniversary his friend’s death.

Mr Inms said that Lane was also a victim of an assault and was kicked repeatedly on the floor and suffered injuries. Following his arrest, police took him to hospital to assess his injuries.

Lane “very much regrets his actions and apologised to those who were on the receiving end of them”, Mr Inns told the court.

Stephen Pembroke, chair of the magistrates bench, told Lane: “We’ve heard the unfortunate incident which we believe was caused by alcohol."

Lane was given a 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation days, 80 hours unpaid work with £85 costs and victim surcharge of £95. Lane was also told to compensate Mrs Head and Mr Jones £50 each.