taken away by Government's Social Services department, was fined $300 in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Milton Hill, of Crossland Lane, pleaded guilty to obstructing an officer and assaulting an officer, causing him bodily harm on Wednesday.

Hill, however, said he only acted that way because he "panicked.'' "It's very traumatic for parents, under any circumstances, to have their children taken away from them,'' he told Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis. "I was just trying to defend my family and keep the unity of my family.'' Sgt. Earl Kirby, prosecuting, said officers attended Hill's home with social workers to assist in serving a warrant authorising them to remove his children from the house because of concerns.

Sgt. Kirby said Hill first admitted the social workers but could be heard ordering them out of his home two minutes later.

Police intervened and Hill threatened them with a wooden stick which they managed to wrestle from him. In the struggle, Hill bit one of the officers on his upper right arm.

The officer was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment where it was noticed he had some bruising and swelling.

"I apologised to the officer personally,'' added Hill. "I would like to secure an attorney and rectify myself with Social Services as soon as possible.'' Mr. Francis fined Hill $150 on each count: "I give you credit for the apology and any lack of understanding you may have had. Nevertheless, you have to recognise it's a serious matter.''