Violent man with knife punched police officer in the face and then spat at him

A POLICE officer was punched in the face and spat on after he responded to a report of a violent man armed with a knife in Carmarthen.

The incident happened on Saturday in the Tregunnor area of the town. At around 9.40am police received a report of a disturbance at a property in Glanffynnon where it was said that a man was in possession of a knife.

Police were sent to the scene and were confronted by Michael Ivan Priestly, aged 43.

“We positioned ourselves outside the property and the defendant came out in a raging state, shouting, swearing and throwing his arms about,” said sergeant Darren Morgan of Dyfed-powys Police. “His behaviour was so alarming that we feared for our safety until he went back inside.”

More police officers arrived at the property to provide support but once Priestly had gone back inside the house his behaviour became even more concerning, according to Sergeant Morgan.

“Through the back window we could clearly see him in possession of a knife, which he pointed at us several times in a threatening manner,” he said.

“He then put the knife to his throat. We weren’t sure if he was threatening to harm himself or us. We attempted to engage with him but he came outside again, shouting aggressively and swearing.”

Priestly then took out a sixinch knife from the waistband of his trousers and dropped it to the floor when ordered to do so by officers.

Police said that despite attempts being made to calm him down Priestly “became more uncooperative” and punched a PC in the face before spitting at him.

Priestly was arrested and taken into custody.

Priestly was charged with assaulting an emergency worker and appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a community order, a rehabilitation activity requirement, and 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £280 in compensation and costs.