Brawling PC banned from 30 pubs gets a new job in the firearms unit

Gary Souter, 28, will be allowed to carry a gun despite facing a disciplinary hearing over the fight.

One publican said it was "beyond belief" that the constable, who was banned for life from all 30 bars in Cardigan, West Wales, can now handle firearms.

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Gary Souter: Still facing a police hearing

A pub worker added: "It makes you wonder what the hell is going on in the police force.

"This man isn't fit to drink in any pub around here because of his behaviour yet senior officers deem him fit to carry a deadly firearm around."

Senior officers yesterday confirmed that PC Souter was transferred to the armed response team for Dyfed-Powys police after the fight.

The incident happened in February when PC Souter and other officers were off duty in Schooners Wine Bar watching Wales play Scotland at rugby.

A fight broke out which was caught on the bar's CCTV system and two

people were injured.

PC Souter was accused of assaulting a doorman and was banned for life by the town's Pub Watch committee covering 30 pubs in Cardigan.

His colleague PC Johnny James was given a six-month ban for allegedly assaulting a customer.

Both were moved from their duties at the town's station.

A criminal investigation was launched but the Crown Prosecution Service decided no charges should be brought.

But an internal disciplinary investigation is still under way and both officers are due to face a hearing in front of the Professional Standards Department.

But PC Souter has now been moved to the armed response team - and has been licensed to use guns and travel in specially adapted vehicles which carry firearms.

PC Souter could be called to enter a pub armed with a gun in the line of duty - even though he is banned while he is off-duty.

The pub worker said: "It's crazy that he can't come in for a pint when he's not working but he can come in armed with a gun when he's working.

"It makes you think the world has gone a bit mad."

The row is due to be brought up at the Pub Watch committee's meeting tomorrow.

Pub Watch would not identify those involved in the brawl, but coordinator John Ashby confirmed that two people had been banned from the town's pubs for life, one for six months and another had received a warning.

Dyfed-Powys Police said PC Souter had been due to join the armed response unit as part of his training and the situation would not be changed.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Edwards said: "Mr Souter has been transferred to duties with the Ceredigion Armed Response Team as part of his operational duties.

"Those duties cannot and should not be curtailed in the absence of the resolution of this matter.

"I regard this as the appropriate response in the circumstances."