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Singer in court over 'gun threat' Singer in court over 'gun threat'
(20 minutes later)
Folk singer Meic Stevens threatened to shoot a Pembrokeshire hotel manager when she refused him another drink, a court has heard.Folk singer Meic Stevens threatened to shoot a Pembrokeshire hotel manager when she refused him another drink, a court has heard.
A police armed response unit was called and an air pistol recovered from the room at the Old Cross Hotel in St David's where he was staying.A police armed response unit was called and an air pistol recovered from the room at the Old Cross Hotel in St David's where he was staying.
Duty manager Victoria Skeats told Haverfordwest magistrates Mr Stevens had also used offensive language.Duty manager Victoria Skeats told Haverfordwest magistrates Mr Stevens had also used offensive language.
Mr Stevens, 64, of Cardiff, denies a charge of using threatening behaviour.Mr Stevens, 64, of Cardiff, denies a charge of using threatening behaviour.
Miss Skeats said on the evening of 5 March this year Mr Stevens - a fixture on the Welsh language folk music scene since the 1960s - was dining in the restaurant at the hotel. Ms Skeats told the hearing that on the evening of 5 March this year Mr Stevens - a fixture on the Welsh language folk music scene since the 1960s - was dining in the hotel restaurant.
He called me a racist and said I was finished in Pembrokeshire Victoria SkeatsHe called me a racist and said I was finished in Pembrokeshire Victoria Skeats
She told the court that at one point "he snapped", he was drunk and using offensive language.
When Mr Stevens finished his meal, he moved to the bar area and Miss Skeats told him she would not serve him any more alcohol.When Mr Stevens finished his meal, he moved to the bar area and Miss Skeats told him she would not serve him any more alcohol.
"He called me a racist and said I was finished in Pembrokeshire," Miss Skeats said. She said he "snapped" and was drunk and using offensive language.
"He called me a racist and said I was finished in Pembrokeshire," Ms Skeats said.
"He said he was going to blow my brains out with a gun he had upstairs. I was absolutely terrified - I was just sick to my stomach.""He said he was going to blow my brains out with a gun he had upstairs. I was absolutely terrified - I was just sick to my stomach."
Defending Pembrokeshire-born Mr Stevens, Wyn Rees said that his client's version of events was totally contradictory. During cross-examination, Wyn Rees, defending, put it to her that she had said to Mr Stevens: "Why are all you Welshies racist?"
Mr Rees put it to Miss Skeats that she had said to Mr Stevens: "Why are all you Welshies racist?" 'Relaxing meal'
'Very alarmed' He put it to her that it had just been a row between the two of them and she was never threatened with a gun. She denied both claims.
He told the court it had just been a row between the two of them and she was never threatened with a gun. Taking to the witness stand himself, Mr Stevens said he had been in Pembrokeshire on holiday and had enjoyed a relaxing meal when Ms Skeats insulted him.
But Miss Skeats denied making the "Welshies" comment and said: "I only called the police when I was in fear of my life." "She was very aggressive. I just thought she was a weirdo," he said.
Magistrates also heard evidence from Gwilym Roberts, who had called at the hotel with his wife. "I was really angry. A girl was having a go at me. I probably did swear at her, but I never threatened to shoot her. It's crazy."
He told the court they had witnessed Mr Stevens threatening to shoot Miss Skeats. He said he and his girlfriend then went upstairs only to be awoken in the early hours.
"I was very alarmed, I was concerned for my safety, my wife's safety and for Vikki," he said. "A voice said 'this is Sergeant Kelly, Dyfed-Powys Police. The hotel is surrounded by armed police'.
Air pistol They (police) charged in, one had a shield. Two had pistols, one had a pistol against my head and the other pointed it at my heart Meic Stevens
The three of them locked themselves in the bar as Mr Stevens had gone upstairs and waited for police to arrive. "I just thought it was a joke."
At 0200 GMT an armed response unit went up to Mr Stevens' room and woke him. He said following a second conversation with the police negotiator, officers burst into his room.
The court was told that he said to one officer: "Do you know who I am? Dyfed-Powys Police, you are in big trouble." "They charged in, one had a shield. Two had pistols, one had a pistol against my head and the other pointed it at my heart."
Mr Stevens was arrested and taken to Haverfordwest Police Station. A gas-operated Walther air pistol was recovered from his room, magistrates heard. He said he was handcuffed and taken to Haverfordwest Police Station for questioning.
The singer told the court that a gas-operated Walther air pistol found in his room belonged to his son who had been using it during the holiday.
Under cross-examination he said the case against him was "a pack of lies, concocted by the police with the witnesses".
"I think the whole thing is disgusting. I just feel I'm being stitched up."
Magistrates also heard from Gwilym Roberts, a holidaymaker who called at the hotel with his wife. He said he witnessed Mr Stevens' gun threats.
He said he became so alarmed that he, his wife and Ms Skeats locked themselves in the bar when Mr Stevens went upstairs and waited for police.
The trial continues.The trial continues.