A man swung a police-style baton at an off-duty policeman who was on a night out with colleagues starting at Caernarfon, a court heard ton Friday.

Mark Dodd, 28, of Valley Road, Llanfairfechan, was jailed for a year at Caernarfon crown court.

He admitted possessing an offensive weapon and assault causing actual bodily harm on Simon Grant.

Prosecutor Matthew Curtis said the victim was waiting at a bus stop. Mr Grant had been hit on the elbow and bruised.

Dafydd Roberts, defending, said it had been a “bad year” for Dodd who’d been made homeless in March.

“While in custody he has completed an awareness of alcohol course,” said the barrister.

Mr Roberts said his client was ashamed and now addressing his underlying problems. He had been unaware Mr Grant was a policeman.

Judge Niclas Parry said it was an unprovoked attack in a public place with a weapon.

He told Dodd: "You aimed for this man’s head. Fortunately his reactions were good and he suffered nothing more than a nasty bruise.”