A SHOP worker was left needing stitches after he refused to serve a drunken man.

Appearing at Welshpool Magistrates Court, Joshua Llewellyn Plumb, of St Harmon, Rhayader, pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

Anouska Youds, prosecuting, told the court how groundworker Plumb, 24, entered the McColl's store on Great Oak Street in Llanidloes on March 6, and assaulted Connor Friel.

Mr Friel, who was working in the store, suffered injuries to his chin which required a hospital visit and stitches.

Ms Youds said: "It was shortly before 8pm and the victim was working at the newsagents when the defendant entered the store and asked to buy wine.

"The victim said no as the defendant appeared to have drunk too much already. The defendant verbally abused and pushed the victim, then punched him causing lacerations to his chin."

Ms Youds showed the magistrates images on the injury to Mr Friel, and the stitches he had in hospital.

She added: "The victim called the emergency services and the defendant was located by police later on. He admitted pushing the victim but said he could not remember punching him.

Ms Youds also read out a victim impact statement from Mr Friel in which he said he had found it "hard to sleep" since the incident, and experienced pain in his jaw afterwards, and that it was painful to eat."

He added that he had recurring bad dreams and had been nervous on returning to work."

Robert Hanratty, defending, said Plumb was full of remorse.

He said: "The defendant is ashamed of his behaviour, and he had had far too much to drink.

"He said in his interview with police to pass on that he was sorry to the victim. He is genuinely remorseful and doesn't make a habit of behaving aggressively while drunk."

Chair of the magistrates bench Sarah Sargent sentenced Plumb to an 18 month community order, and ordered him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

She said: "Very clearly we can see from the photos that the victim required a hospital visit and stitches. Compensation is important to the victim."

Plumb was told to pay £350 in compensation to Mr Friel, £100 for the injury caused and £250 for the mental anxiety he had suffered.

He will also pay £85 court costs and a £65 victim surcharge.