A Pembroke man was fined $800 after he admitted stealing a gold chain during an argument at a bar.

Jamal Bascome, 24, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court yesterday to stealing jewellery on Sunday.

According to Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess, the victim, Juan Curtis was at Docksiders Pub, on Front Street, at around 11 p.m. when Bascome sat next to him at the bar.

Bascome leant backwards against Mr. Curtis. Mr. Curtis pushed Bascome, who then turned and began to yell at him.

During the argument, Bascome grabbed the chain, tore it off Mr. Curtis, and walked out of the bar.

Mr. Curtis walked to the Police station to report the theft. While there he saw officers talking with Bascome on another matter and identified him as the culprit.

When questioned by Police, Bascome admitted stealing the chain, but said he could not remember anything after the theft because he had 20 drinks. Police were able to recover the chain.

Bascome, who had been held in custody since the theft, told Magistrate Juan Wolfe that he had felt provoked when the victim shoved him.

"I didn't go in there to take nobody's chain," Bascome said. "I was drunk. I didn't want to assault him."

Bascome also told the court that he is engaged, and will become a father early next year.

Mr. Wolfe fined Bascome $800, saying: "You've got to think about the consequences of your actions.

"Someone brushed against you and that's going to set something off? Does that make any sense to anyone?

"You've got to start looking out, not just for yourself, but for your child."