A teenager who broke a Policeman's jaw is could get a community sentence when he next appears in court.

Prince Barrington Edness, 17, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on Sgt. Mark Clarke, when he punched him around 3 a.m. at the Police Recreation Club at Prospect on Saturday.

Edness, who is known to the courts, punched the officer on the jaw from behind after he turned his back on him, Crown counsel Anthony Blackman told Magistrates Court yesterday.

The officer had gone outside to investigate an argument between a man and a woman after a party and spoke to Edness, of St. John's Road, Pembroke.

When he finished speaking to him, he turned around and Edness punched him on the jaw knocking him to the floor.

Edness ran off but was arrested on Prospect Field after a violent struggle, said Mr. Blackman.

But Edness' lawyer Llewellyn Peniston claimed his client witnessed a dispute involving the young woman and went in "like a knight in shining armour" to save her.

And he said Edness punched the officer because he turned on him in an aggressive manner. He told the court his client didn't know Sgt. Clarke was a Police officer and he urged the court not to jail him.

Acting Senior Magistrate Will Francis said: "Bearing in mind what you said, I can't marry the facts together. They don't fit."

Mr. Blackman responded: "The offence took place on the premises of the Bermuda Police Service.

"The defendant (Edness) knew the complainant was a Police officer. The complainant was not a part of this matter. He (Edness) should not walk away with a slap on the wrist."

Mr. Francis released Edness on bail to return for sentencing after a social enquiry report has been completed and said he had a community sentence in mind.