A naked man found hugging the statue of Johnny Barnes on his stag night walked free from Magistrates' Court with a smile on his face.

The courtroom was in stitches yesterday as it heard how Ian Bridges, 31, of Paget, wrapped his arms around the replica of the famous Bermudian at 1 a.m. yesterday after a night out on the town.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves was clearly amused as he was told how a drunk Bridges was seen staggering and falling over near the statue at the entrance of East Broadway, opposite Crow Lane Bakery.

Mr. Greaves joked that Bridges' antics would have made the famous statue of Mr. Barnes blush.

Bridges, who pleaded guilty to indecent exposure and being drunk and incapable, said in mitigation: "It was my stag party, I'm getting married next month."

He also promised not to repeat the shenanigans which the court heard had been witnessed by a number of passing motorists.

When asked by Mr. Greaves why he had chosen the statue of Mr. Barnes as the object of his affection, he replied: "I love that man".

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months on both charges.

Bridges' drunken overtures are not the first unwelcome attention received by the statue of Mr. Barnes, who celebrated his 80th in June. In January the statue's face was spray-painted in an act of vandalism that shocked Islanders.

Mr. Barnes has become a living legend, getting up every morning at the crack of dawn so he can offer residents his intoxicating happiness as they make their way into Hamilton.

And all he would say on the matter when contacted by The Royal Gazette was: "There are all kinds of people in the world and nothing surprises me any more. I'm just glad it wasn't the real me he was hugging when naked!"