Drunk man hit bouncer in wee row
A DRUNK man punched a bouncer who told him off for weeing on a restaurant window, a court heard.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Thomas Arentsen relieved himself on the window after drinking in the city centre on the day of the Champions League final.
Judge William Gaskell described the defendant’s behaviour as “squalid”.
The court heard the incident occurred in Cardiff city centre on Saturday, June 3 – the day of the clash between Real Madrid and Juventus at the Principality Stadium.
Stuart McLeese, prosecuting, said Arentsen asked to use a pub toilet but was not allowed.
He said: “The defendant urinated against the window of a restaurant.”
The court heard a doorman came out and Arentsen punched him.
Prosecutors said he had 18 previous convictions including drunk and disorderly behaviour, assault and criminal damage.
He was sentenced for arson and affray in 2015 after threatening to burn down a house before lighting a fire in a wheelie bin.
The court heard he also assaulted staff and caused criminal damage at Whitchurch Hospital.
Arentsen, 29, from Matthysens Way in St Mellons, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to assault.
Ruth Smith, defending, said her client had been diagnosed with mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
She added: “His formative years were very difficult. He is an individual with very complex personality difficulties.”
The defence barrister told the court Arentsen had turned to alcohol as a way to cope.
He was judged by the Probation Service to present a medium risk of harm to the public.
Judge William Gaskell noted staff at psychiatric facility Whitchurch Hospital were pleased with his progress.
He described the defendant’s offending as “obnoxious” but added: “Having regard to the nature of the offending, it would be unjust to send you to prison.”
Arentsen was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 30 days of a rehabilitation activity as well as complying with a three-month curfew.
He must pay £250 in compensation to the victim plus a £115 victim surcharge.
The judge told him: “You cannot go through the rest of your life using your psychological health as an excuse for committing offences.
“Frankly you have got to stop getting yourself drunk.”