David Anthony Sousa, 40, of Huntley Lane, admitted using offensive words to a Police officer on Reid Street, on January 4.

Prosecuting, Sgt. Rex Osborne said the defendant was sitting on the side of an open-sided van at 1 p.m. "A Police officer was passing and the defendant said: `Eff you.' He arrested him.'' Sousa told the officer that he did not mean it. "It just slipped out,'' he said. Sgt. Osborne said Sousa had five similar convictions over the last four years.

Sousa told Magistrates' Court: "I had a friend back from the United States, after he had a bad case of diabetes and almost lost a leg.

"I was delivering bananas. The Policeman walked by. It just slipped out. I did not say it loudly. I was not abusive. It was an accident.

"When he arrested me I shook his hand. I congratulated him on his promotion.

I know the gentleman.'' Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis said: "It seems, as far as you are concerned, that these words do just slip out. You should practice holding on to them, especially that word.'' He fined Sousa $250.

Responding to laughter from the back of the court, Sousa said: "It's not funny. One word for $250. That is very expensive.''