A MAN who went berserk after he spotted he was being filmed as he drove at 30mph on a popular beach attacked holidaymakers and a beach superintendent.

Richard O’Neill from Wrexham was jailed for a total of 22 months after pleading guilty to causing actual bodily harm to the superintendent, Alun Williams, to five common assaults, two of them against women, affray, dangerous driving, drink-driving and exposure.

It happened on July 25 at Black Rock Sands near Porthmadog.

O’Neill, of Lower Road, Coedpoeth, was banned from driving for four years and 11 months and placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.

He appeared via video link from remand prison and Judge Timothy Petts told him at Caernarfon Crown Court: “It was completely unnecessary, a display of drunken behaviour on a public beach where people were enjoying their summer holidays.”

He had been driving at up to 30mph and when he realised he was being filmed he became abusive and exposed his penis.

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Picture of Black Rock Sands, near Porthmadog. Picture: Google Streetview

“When people tried to reason with you," the judge said. "You began to assault them, including biting and punching.

“You had to be restrained and when the beach superintendent arrived you bit him, causing scarring.”

The judge added that during his “rampage” he also kicked a dog hard.

Brian Treadwell, prosecuting, said some of the victims had the anxiety of medical tests to check for serious illness or disease after being bitten.

In an impact statement Claire Yates, there with husband Martin, who were both assaulted, said : “I believed this man was going to kill my husband and myself.

"My two daughters were swimming in the sea. I was worried if they came out and he continued to attack us.”

Mr Treadwell said O’Neill had 13 previous convictions for 21 offences, including five against the person, and others for arson and drink driving.

Ryan Rothwell, defending, said the indecent exposure was out of character and O'Neill had been guilty of reckless assaults.

O’Neill, he said, was a full-time fork lift driver who had been in employment for many years.

“He’s ashamed of what he has done,” said the barrister, adding his greatest mitigation was his guilty pleas.