and threatened his friend with a knife, was fined $550 in Magistrates' Court this week.

Everest Shiell of Dudley Hill, Paget changed his not guilty plea after his two statements were read in court.

In the statements, Shiell told investigating officer Det. Con. Terrance Maxwell, that on the evening of July 2, 1992 he went to work at 7 p.m. at the Princess Hotel.

Earlier that day, his daughter told him that his friend and co-worker Erskine Philips had made an improper comment to his wife.

Phillips had taken Shiell's wife and children to the beach that day. While there he reportedly told her "to take her top off,'' while they were swimming.

When Shiell returned home his daughter met him at the door and told him about the incident.

He then went to work at the hotel that evening where he met Phillips.

"I lost my temper,'' Shiell said in the statement. "I got a knife from the kitchen and put it against his throat, he's lucky I didn't kill him. I trusted him.'' Shiell started work around 7 p.m. at the hotel's night club. He approached Phillips and told him to go to the dressing room where they could talk around 9 p.m.

On his way to meet with Phillips, Shiell said he went to the kitchen and took a 12-inch knife that was normally used to cut vegetables.

"I went to the Gazebo Lounge and put the knife up against his throat,'' the statement continued. "He cried like a baby. I gave him one head butt. I wanted to kill him.'' After the statement was read out, Shiell's lawyer Mr. Richard Hector, asked for a brief recess because it was the first time he had heard his client had made a statement to Police.

Mr. Hector suggested that the charges should be put to his client again and Shiell pleaded guilty to unlawfully assaulting Erskine Phillips and doing him bodily harm and using threatening behaviour on July 2.

In mitigation, Mr. Hector pointed out that his client had a clean record and that he was a responsible man who was a manager at Kentucky Fried Chicken in addition to being a manager at the Hamilton Princess.

He said Shiell had met Phillips when his child was born some years ago and they had become friends.

On the day the incident occurred, Phillips had offered to take his wife and children to the beach.

After finding out about the incident, Mr. Hector said Shiell called Phillips who told him it was just a joke and laughed. It was at that time that Shiell took out the knife.

"It was one of those matters which arose because my client dearly respects his wife and felt betrayed by his friend,'' Mr. Hector said. "He became `temporarily insane,' on his own admission.

"He did not tell me about these statements he made to Police, and I apologise to the court for any time we have wasted.'' Magistrate the Wor. Cheryl-Ann Mapp said that while she could appreciate how upset he could have become, his actions were not justified given what took place.

She then fined Shiell $400 for the assault and $150 for using threatening behaviour.