Anthony Clint Paynter, 41, of Chapel of Ease Lane, St. David's pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to using threatening behaviour and assaulting Marion Carol Hayward on October 15 last year.

No evidence was offered on a third charge of breaching the peace.

Crown counsel Larry Mussenden told Magistrate Edward King, Paynter was at Ms Hayward's home on Chapel of Ease Road.

He took a homemade pipe and a small piece of brown paper from his pocket and ordered her from the room.

A short time later, he ordered her back into the room and questioned her as to her whereabouts during the day.

Mr. Mussenden said Paynter became angry and began to choke Ms Hayward. He accused her of lying and threatened to kill her.

Paynter also hit the woman about the head with the flat side of a machete but apologised for his actions.

Mr. Mussenden said shortly after that Paynter demanded that she go to an automated teller machine in St. George's and withdraw $40.

Upon their return Paynter took Ms Hayward's house keys and locked her out of her home. She went to her mother's home a short distance away and called the Police.

Officers eventually tried to use a bullhorn to convince Paynter to leave the home and when that was unsuccessful they gained permission to enter the home from Ms Hayward.

Paynter was found in a closet with a machete on the floor next to him.

When Mr. King asked Paynter if he had anything to say in his defence, he replied: "I'm sorry for everything I've done. I've got an addiction problem.'' "I slipped up and backslid out of the church,'' he added.

Mr. King replied that both prayer and a "liquid fast'' would solve his problem.

Ms Hayward told Mr. King that she hoped Paynter would get a "therapeutic'' sentence. She added that she wanted him to understand that he needed help. She also noted that he had helped her in the past.

"At the time he was told to stay away by Police and he honoured that,'' Ms Hayward recalled.

Mr. King ordered a probationary sentence of two years with the stipulation that Paynter attend an alcohol and drug treatment programme.

Mr. King explained the sentence and added: "Violate it and I may ship you westward.'' TEEN FINED; NOW FACES US CHARGES CTS Teen fined; now faces US charges A Bermudian teenager facing drugs charges in Florida has been ordered to pay a fine for two traffic offences locally.

Sergio Augustus, 17, of Crane Lane, Pembroke was arrested for alleged drugs smuggling at Miami International Airport last month after a flight from Jamaica.

Customs officials searched Augustus after he became ill and found he had ingested marijuana.

This week Augustus pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to speeding at 55 kph and driving without a valid licence.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis fined him $250 and $100, respectively.

But before Augustus left the courtroom he asked that the charges be dismissed.

"I have a more serious charge overseas,'' he explained.

Augustus also told Mr. Francis he would be leaving the Island this week.

"I'm not sure when I will be coming back,'' he added.

He further explained that he was facing a "trafficking offence'' in the US.

Mr. Francis ordered him to pay the fines by May 29.

Meanwhile court officials in Miami were tightlipped about the drug case against Augustus.

There was also some confusion over whether it was a juvenile or felony case.

A spokeswoman from the Dade County Juvenile Court said officials were prohibited from giving "any information on any of our Juvenile cases''.

She would not confirm if there was even a case against Augustus.

But a Dade County Court spokeswoman told The Royal Gazette : "That case is a juvenile and we would have to wait to see if it becomes a felony.'' However a spokeswoman for the Dade County State Attorney's office said Augustus had been bound over to the adult system and would be arraigned on March 5.

GUILTY OF STEALING FROM NIEGHBOURS CTS Guilty of stealing from neighbours A Sandys Parish man yesterday pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and stealing from the homes of his neighbours.

Rodney Simons, 28, of Railway Trail admitted to the offences which took place last year at the residences of both Edith Eversley and Lorraine Huinink.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor told Magistrates' Court that Simons broke and entered Ms Eversley's home between August 23 and 24 and stole $75 worth of coins.

And on September 2 he broke and entered Ms Huinink's home and stole a $500 gold link bracelet, an $50 imitation Rolex watch, and two Heineken beers valued at $3.50 each.

Sgt. Taylor added that none of the property had been recovered.

Simons yesterday apologised for his actions, saying he had "changed'' and now had a full-time job.

Magistrate Edward King replied: "A man's house is his castle and too often people break in and steal his property. This kind of offence is all too prevalent and should not be dealt with by a fine.'' Mr. King sentenced Simons to a three-month prison term on each count suspended for two years.

YOUTH TOLD TO WATCH HER BEHAVIOUR CTS Youth told to watch her behaviour A school girl who yesterday pleaded guilty to stealing clothes from two Hamilton stores received two conditional discharges.

Romel Crockwell, 16, of Aeolia Drive, Devonshire, was arrested about 3.40 p.m.

on October 30 last year.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Crockwell had been caught stealing a Polo Sport jacket and two pants from A.S. Coopers worth $284.

She also admitted to stealing a $30 corduroy jacket from Knick Knack on Reid Street.

After reading a social inquiry report on Crockwell, Magistrate Arthur Hodgson handed down a conditional discharge for one year for each charge.

And he told Crockwell: "Watch your behaviour.'' MAN ADMITS TO STEALING A CYCLE CTS Man admits to stealing a cycle A Pembroke man yesterday received a suspended prison sentence for stealing his neighbour's auxiliary cycle.

Michael Francis Antonitien, 36, of North Court Avenue, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to stealing a red Suzuki from Anna Madeiros on October 25 last year.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor explained that the locked cycle was stolen sometime between 1.45 p.m. and 2.45 p.m.

Sgt. Taylor added that Antonitien used a screwdriver to damage the ignition before taking the bike for less than an hour.

Magistrate Edward King yesterday described Antonitien as an "honest thief'' before handing down a three-month prison term suspended for two years.