A Pembroke man who believed drinking in a public place did not merit a serious fine, received a conditional discharge when he appeared before Magistrate Edward King yesterday.

Stanley Leroy Williams, 34, of Parsons Road, pleaded guilty to drinking in Barr's Bay Park on August 21, but as he stood before Mr. King yesterday, Williams said it was unfair that he was targeted by Police for such a minor offence.

"Two days ago they were having a party in the same park serving alcohol,'' Williams said, "and now they arrest me in the same park for drinking a beer? Where is the justice in that?'' But Mr. King told Williams that was a matter that should be addressed by a Member of Parliament, not the court.

Crown counsel Juan Wolfe proceeded to tell the court that about 6.55 p.m., patrolling officers spotted Williams and four other men lying on the grass in Barr's Bay Park, Pembroke.

When officers approached, they noticed that he was drinking a bottle of Guiness Stout.

Williams was cautioned, to which he asked: "Can I just stash this?'' He then walked toward a trash can, but before he threw the bottle away, he lifted it to his mouth and drank from it again.

"I wasn't going to pour it out,'' he told the officers. "I paid for it.'' After hearing the testimony, Mr. King said: "The law says the offence you committed carries a term of six months in prison or a fine of $2,880. So what kind of punishment should I impose? Let me hear your mitigation.'' Williams replied: "I don't see why I'm even here. This is a waste of the court's time, for one beer. Charge me $50 and get it over with, the beer only cost me $1.00, but I'm sorry, it won't happen again.'' Mr. King said: "Well, I take into account your guilty plea and I impose a conditional discharge for six months.''