A bartender yesterday told how a man accused of trying to set alight a security guard after dousing him in gasoline annoyed male patrons by fondling them before launching his attack.

Robert Smith, 44, of North Shore Road in Smith's, has denied using a flammable liquid with intent to cause harm and attempting grievous bodily harm on June 27.

Crown witness Wenda Williams, who was a bartender at Sparrow's Nest that night, said she first noticed Smith's presence when he began to fondle male bar patrons.

Patron Joseph Robert, who also testified yesterday, said he complained to the bartender after his crotch was grabbed by Smith.

Williams said Smith told her he was drunk and high because he was getting married the next month.

She said she eventually asked Benjamin Smith, 24, a former security guard to make Smith behave.

After a slight scuffle both Smith and the security guard sat down, Williams said. But when the accused started misbehaving again she asked the security guard to evict him.

Ten to 15 minutes later, Williams said she heard a "commotion coming up the stairs'' which was Smith returning.

She said when he entered with "a container'' she smelt the strong odour of gas.

"After I smelt the gas I ran toward the door and I heard someone yell, `Is that gas?''' Williams said.

"The next thing I know Robert and Benjamin were fighting. I came out from behind the bar and went to try and stop the fight. I grabbed Benjamin and he told me to get away.'' She said she then told bar patrons to extinguish their cigarettes because she did not know how much gas had been spilled.

Yesterday, Crown witness Richard John Lee, of Middle Road in Devonshire, said he saw the accused throw gas from a cylinder on Smith.

Under-cross examination by defence lawyer Ms Sharon Kenny, Lee said the cylinder was like a fire extinguisher, two or three feet tall.

But in previous testimony Benjamin Smith said the container was a white plastic Tupperware bowl.

Senior Government analyst Mr. Christopher Young also testified that Police gave him a white plastic Tupperware container to test for evidence of gasoline.

Mr. Young said the vapours coming from the container showed it had contained gasoline.

But when shown the plastic Tupperware container by Ms Kenny, Lee denied that it was the container used by Robert Smith.

And while he admitted he had at least seven drinks that night, he denied he was drunk. He also said his vision had been clear.

The case continues this morning before Puisne Judge the Hon. Justice Meerabux.