pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a female visitor and assaulting her fiance outside the Cock and Feather Restaurant.

The man was sentenced to 18 months for assaulting the woman and nine months for unlawfully assaulting her companion. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis was told the couple had arrived on the Island aboard a cruise ship and on the evening of October 14, 1996, were out on the town.

Upon leaving the Front Street pub the couple encountered the man, who approached the woman saying: "Hey pretty lady.'' When the comment went unanswered the man reached over and rubbed the woman's breast and back. Her fiance moved to intervene and was confronted by the man who said, "you want some Mike Tyson stuff.'' He then grabbed the woman's companion, who quickly broke free and with the woman left to summon Police.

The man, meanwhile, made his way upstairs to the pub, where he was subsequently found by Police and brought outside for questioning.

At that time Police noticed he smelled of heavy intoxiants. When confronted with the visitor's allegations the man responded: "You're going to arrest me for this?'' He was taken to the Hamilton Police station where he remained uncooperative.

Police Prosecutor Donald Grant told the court the accused has a record of similar offences, ranging from assaults to threatening behaviour.

The man -- who had orginally pleaded not guilty to the charges and was being held in custody -- changed his plea yesterday.

He told Mr. Francis he had been under the influence and "acted out of proportion.'' In passing sentence Mr. Francis noted the man had now progressed from assaults to sexual assaults: "This is nasty business and very disturbing behaviour.'' MAN ORDERED HELD IN CUSTODY CTS Man ordered held in custody A 39-year-old homeless man, arrested twice during the past week for sleeping on the floor of Hamilton's General Post Office, was yesterday ordered held in custody while a social inquiry report can assess his condition.

Keith Peniston, who was picked up by Police officers on Friday and again early yesterday morning, pleaded guilty to walking abroad and was ordered held until February 26 by Senior Magistrate Will Francis.

Court was told Peniston was found for the second time in a week sleeping amidst cigarette butts, burnt matches, and a few coins on the floor of the General Post Office.

The arrest came on the heels of complaints by the Postmaster General, who told Police vagrants were using the postal box section of the building as a refuge.

"You know the Postmaster General is sick and tired of his building being used as a bedroom,'' Mr. Francis scolded.

"I only went there to sit down. I didn't think I'd fall asleep,'' Peniston replied. "I went there because it was cold outside.'' Mr. Francis originally ordered Peniston held until March 3, prompting objections by duty counsel Renee Foggo, who argued the offence was of a minor nature and did not warrant a six-week stay in custody.

Mr. Francis was subsequently told the report could be completed by February 26.

STRIP SEARCH LED TO OUTBURST CTS Strip search led to outburst A young St. David's landscaper, frustrated at having been strip searched by Customs officers at the International Airport, yesterday pleaded guilty to causing wilful damage but has been given the chance to make restitution before being sentenced.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis was told 21-year-old Tajmal Webb returned to the Island aboard a charter flight on the evening of January 5 and underwent a Customs search of his luggage.

Police Prosecutor Donald Grant told the court upon leaving the area Mr. Webb appeared to be upset with the course of the Customs' examination. He could be heard swearing as he passed through the sliding glass security doors.

A few minutes later the sound of shattering glass was heard and Police officers observed the accused -- his right hand bleeding -- near the glass doors.

Mr. Webb told Police he broke the glass, valued at $700, but did not mean to do it. He refused medical attention for his hand.

Duty counsel Renee Foggo told Mr. Francis that Webb was upset over being strip searched and apologised for the outbreak. He promised to pay for the glass panel.

Mr. Francis bound the case over to March 5 to see what progress had been made on the promise.

MAN CARRIED DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CTS Man carried drug paraphernalia Keith Peniston was fined $200 after he was convicted of carrying a pipe used for smoking cocaine.

Peniston, 39, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to possessing drug equipment.

Prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Police approached Peniston on Front Street and searched him. Tests showed the pipe was used for cocaine.

Peniston denied a charge of wandering abroad in Hamilton. He was granted $500 bail and ordered to stand trail on February 17.