After spending six weeks in jail, a 22-year-old was given two years probation last week for beating a man he considered an uncle.

In May, David Trott was found guilty of assaulting Ashley Smith, causing him actual bodily harm. Originally the charge was grievous bodily harm but the jury found him not guilty of the charge.

A dispute erupted between the two men over a $50 debt on January 7, 2005. Mr. Smith told the court that he owed Trott the money for drugs he had purchased off him.

During the trial, Crown counsel Oonagh Vaucrosson told the jury that Trott beat Ashley Smith about the head with a crash helmet.

Trott denied that the debt was drug-related and said he was forced to defend himself against Mr. Smith who was ?like a uncle? to him.

Trott, from Broken Hill Lane, Smith?s, apologised to the court and Mr. Smith on Friday. He added that his time in jail was tough for him, particularly when his young daughter visited.

?I?ve been going to the Prison Fellowship a lot and praying,? he said. ?I?ve learned that if you confess your sins you can be forgiven.?

He added that he hoped to resume studies at the Bermuda College and planned to be an actuary in the future. He also said he hoped to repair his relationship with Mr. Smith.

Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves sentenced Trott to 300 hours of community service in the next eight months and said he would be on probation for two years.