A Devonshire man was sent to jail for 12 months after admitting punching two men on separate occasions.

Ezra Ezzard Williams, of Cedar Park Lane, pleaded guilty to assaulting Thomas Hilverding with the intent to rob him on May 4 in St. George's when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard from Senior Crown counsel, Carrington Mahoney, that at about 1.45 p.m., Williams caught a taxi to Clearwater Beach from Hamilton.

When the taxi arrived at the beach, the driver, an off-duty Police officer, informed the 23-year old the fare was $50. Williams gave him $20 and told him to hold on.

The defendant got out of the taxi and approached the complainant, Mr. Hilverding, who was sitting on a motorcycle and demanded he give him money for the rest of the fare.

When Mr. Hilverding refused, Williams punched him in the left side of the face.

He was taken to the Southside Police Station where he admitted punching Mr. Hilverding.

Williams' lawyer, Llewellyn Peniston said Mr. Hilverding owed his client money and Williams was only trying to get that money from him as it was an outstanding debt.

Mr. Peniston claimed his client was disappointed when he didn't receive the money so he "hit him a slap" and walked off.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo sentenced Williams to nine months imprisonment. His lawyer said he planned to appeal the conviction.

In another matter, Williams admitted to unlawfully assaulting William Rudolph Benjamin and causing him bodily harm.

The court heard from Mr. Mahoney that on January 13, Mr. Benjamin saw Williams in an argument with his granddaughter outside of Swinging Doors on Court Street.

He went over and tried to break it up when he was punched by Williams causing bruising and swelling to his face.

Williams was arrested and taken to the Hamilton Police Station where he initially denied the allegation then admitted it at a later date.

Mr. Tokunbo gave Williams a 12 month sentence to run concurrent with the nine-month sentence.