Several cases of violently resisting arrest, unlawful assault, Police obstruction and offensive words left Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves suggesting the Island needed to have an anger management day.

Mr. Greaves made the suggestion during yesterday's sitting of plea court.

Referring to some of the cases before him, Mr. Greaves said: "You can come with your machetes, old stick, fists, hands that only slap, but don't punch, and you can shout and curse as loud as you wish, and no one will arrest you. "We will have punching bags and other stuff to help you along. We can have it at Southside - plenty of space. We can add this to the ATI (Alternatives to Incarceration) an anger management day out. We will charge you a little something. You people are too angry. What's wrong?"

Milton Jones, 39, of Southampton pleaded guilty, with an explanation, to charges of unlawfully assaulting his ex-wife's boyfriend.

Jones told the court that he was very angry about the fact that this man would not allow his daughter into his ex-wife's house. Crown counsel Juan Wolffe told the court that in Pembroke on December 30, Jones had chased the victim down - who was in his van - while in his car. Once he had cut the man off, Jones punched him on his right cheek.

Jones told the court he could only "slap" with his left hand.

Of the victim, Mr. Greaves said: "I bet he was a tiny little fool. I think that he wasn't a real man of six-foot-two-inches and 220 pounds."

Mr. Greaves fined Jones $250 or 40 days in prison.

Robert Pitcher appeared in Magistrates' Court on charges of obstructing Police officers, resisting arrest and using offensive words on Front Street.

Pitcher, 29, of St. David's, pleaded guilty to the charges and said he had an explanation.

He said he was leaving the Ozone Nightclub when he turned to see his brother being arrested.

Mr. Wolffe told the court that at 3.20 a.m. on Sunday morning Pitcher told Police to "get your f***ing hands off me, you f***ing coward", before violently resisting arrest by pushing the officer onto a nearby Police vehicle.

After Mr. Wolffe had told the court of Pitcher's previous convictions, many of which happened in the last two years.

Mr. Greaves said: "You mean last year you were young? I am going to fine you the maximum."

Pitcher was fined $1,000 or six months for obstructing to Police, $1,000 or six months for violently resisting arrest and $500 or three months for offensive words. The fines be paid immediately.

Also appearing was Daniel Trott, 17, of Pembroke, for resisting arrest outside of the Ozone night club on Sunday. Trott pleaded not guilty and was bailed for $500 to appear for trial on April 4.

Andrew Smith, 38, pleaded guilty to assaulting Derek Ingham on December 15 in Pembroke. Mr. Wolffe told the court that Smith got in an argument with the other man and told him that he would "end his life".

When asked by Mr. Greaves if he had anything to say, Smith replied no. Mr. Greaves said: "It seems you don't have anything to say unless you are punching.

"Imagine if when you hit that man he had dropped down dead - you would now be charged for murder."

Mr. Greaves fined Smith $250 or 40 days in prison.