A MAN who was caught fighting in Abergavenny by two police officers told them he was only defending himself.

They arrested James Matthew Seabourne and the other man, Ralph Lewis and charged Seabourne with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour during the incident.

Abergavenny magistrates heard last Thursday that Seabourne shouted at the other man as he was being arrested but went quietly with officers while the other man attempted to run away and was chased and caught.

Seabourne, 27, who lives at Longfellow Road, Caldicot denied the charge and was represented by Chris Davies.

After retiring for half an hour to consider their verdict the magistrates found him not guilty and said the prosecution had not proved he had done anything other than defend himself.

PC Craig Toogood said he was sitting in a police vehicle with another officer outside Auberge public house in Frogmore Street, Abergavenny at 1.45am on October 9 when a member of the public drew their attention to a fight on the pavement outside the Baptist Church.

He saw two men swinging punches at each other and both were arrested. He said he and his fellow officer broke it up within seconds.

Under cross examination by Mr Davies he said Mr Lewis seemed 'pumped-up' and still aggressive when he got hold of him. As another PC came to arrest the man he ran off with three officers chasing him but fell over and was handcuffed but was still resisting arrest.

PC Vicky Townsend said she arrested Seabourne and he swore at the other man. He seemed upset when he was taken in the police vehicle to Newport.

Cross examined PC Townsend agreed both men were as bad as each other. Mr Lewis had caught her in the face with his elbow as he tried to make a quick getaway. She agreed he had been more difficult to deal with at the time of arrest than Seabourne.

James Seabourne said he was walking to his aunt's house from the Railway Inn and was accompanied by three other men when they saw Mr Lewis arguing with a woman across the street. He added: "As we looked he got shirty and started shouting and swearing at us then came over and started kicking me and my mate. I did not know this man or his girlfriend.

" He threw a punch at me so I took a stance and we grabbed hold of each other then the police arrested us."

Mr Davies said the magistrates had to decide whether Seabourne's behaviour was aggressive or whether he was merely defending himself which he was entitled to do. He said the prosecution had to prove he used more than the reasonable force allowed in self defence.