Man admits driving and assault charges after pub incident

A MAN has pleaded guilty to offences including assault and driving dangerously after driving a car into a group of people outside a bar.

Ryan Thomas, 23, appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court yesterday to enter his pleas.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, relating to the incident which happened outside The Celtic Bar in Merthyr Tydfil during the early hours of Sunday, November 5.

Thomas also pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving, and one count of driving while disqualified.

Emergency services were called to Dynevor Street following reports that a car “drove at” a number of people.

The Welsh Ambulance Service was called at around 2.10am to reports that “a number of pedestrians had been hit by a car”.

Two patients were taken to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr after the incident for hospital treatment.

South Wales Police issued a public appeal for information in the aftermath of the incident in a bid to try and trace the driver. A spokeswoman said at the time: “We are appealing for information after a car drove at a number of people in Merthyr outside the Celtic Bar.”

Judge Patrick Curran QC told Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court that the offences were “so serious” that a pre-sentence report would have to be prepared.

Thomas, of Darren Las in Merthyr Vale, was remanded in custody before his next court appearance.

He is due to appear at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court tomorrow, where he is due to be sentenced.