Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner made it clear that assaulting a Police officer is a serious offence, no matter how drunk you are.

Edward Burchall, 34, was sentenced to nine months imprisonment in Magistrates? Court recently for assaulting two Police officers and causing them grievous bodily harm.

Burchall, of St. David?s Road, St. George?s, pleaded guilty to assaulting and causing grievous bodily harm to the officers. He also admitted using offensive language in public.

Burchall was involved in a scuffle across from The Emporium Building at 2.50 a.m. on July 17 with a member of the public. When officers tried to intervene and break up the fight, Burchall turned on them. He kicked one officer and poked another in the eye. During the skirmish he was shouting obscenities at the Police and continued acting in a violent manner at the Hamilton Police Station.

Burchall apologised to the Police and the court. ?I don?t remember the incident, I was that drunk.?

Mr. Warner accepted Burchall?s apology but said it didn?t change his mind. He said: ?A message must be sent that you guys can?t act like that on the street and then assault a Police officer when they intervene.?

Mr. Warner fined Burchall $500 for using offensive language in public and sentenced him to nine months in prison for assaulting Police officers and nine months for causing grievous bodily harm.

The sentences are to be served concurrently.