A Magistrate yesterday was lenient with a St. George's man who, armed with a machete, chased his daughter's boyfriend through King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Allan Warner, 44, of Jacobs Point, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and conducting himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.

Crown counsel Anthony Blackman told Magistrates' Court that around 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday, Warner was seen with a machete chasing a young man through the emergency department of the hospital.

The man was able to escape by forcing himself through a door.

Mr. Blackman said it was believed the incident was preceded by an altercation between the two men. But Warner told the court no previous altercation between he and other man had taken place. He said he had been informed earlier in the day that the young man had knocked out some of his daughter's teeth.

Warner added there had been previous altercations between his daughter and the man, who was her boyfriend. He said that his daughter had turned 23 on Saturday and that he had warned her about the man on many occasions.

`'When I looked at my daughter all I could see was blood. I lost my mind.''

Magistrate Carlisle Greaves told Warner: "The law never tolerates vengeance but I can understand your anger. If I had daughters I wouldn't want anyone to do that either.

`'I think this was a one off event where you were pushed. I'm going to have to let you go.''

Warner was bound over to keep the peace.