A 40-year-old Devonshire Parish man's claim to a magistrate he had been beaten by Police appeared to have had no effect as he was imprisoned for nine months for using offensive words.

Robin Michael Simmons of Zuill's Park, Smith's Parish pleaded guilty but showed scabs but was told by Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves he was "lucky".

Crown counsel Graveney Bannister said Simmons was on Front Street early on Tuesday shouting and annoying people, including tourists who were in the area.

Mr. Bannister said Police reported Simmons smelled strongly alcohol began ranting and cursing the officers saying: "Why the f*** you hit me?"

Simmons said in court: "They struck me...I have the marks."

Pulling up his sleeve, he showed the court the sores on his arm.

"They hit me with a sign," he said. "I was provoked into using that language."

Mr. Greaves said "you're lucky that's all you got", calling him - after reading Simmons' previous offences: "A pestering menace to society with no effort to change his life."

Simmons will also have to serve nine months in prison after admitting he wilfully damaged a cedar door at the Anglican Cathedral.

On February 26 at 1 a.m. he was found asleep on the floor of the Cathedral by Police who had responded to an alarm.

Simmons admitted breaking into the landmark Cathedral and damaging the cedar door to the tune of $750.

Mr. Bannister said that Simmons admitted his actions when questioned by Police and agreed he would foot the bill for the damage.

Mr. Greaves gave Simmons two concurrent nine month prison sentences.