Six officers were needed to restrain a man after he heard that he was going to be sent back to prison yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Wendal Tucker, 22, of no fixed abode, appeared before Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves charged with stealing a pair of sneakers from his half brother.

Although he admitted the offence, Tucker claimed that he had "rented" them from his sibling.

"I rented the sneakers from my brother, but I think when his mother asked where they were he couldn't tell her the truth," he said.

But, noting Tucker's previous convictions and an unpaid fine of $1,000 for possession of cocaine, Mr. Greaves said: "I am going to keep you until your stepmother comes and can verify what you have said."

Tucker pleaded that he had just come out of Westgate and that he did not want to go back.

"You charged me $1,000 for having 0.3 grams of cocaine. I just came out of West Gate three weeks ago," said Tucker.

"You are treating my life like a joke - please don't lock me up again.

"You can't keep locking people up for fines."

Mr. Greaves said: "I will make you a deal - if you never commit a crime again - I promise you that I will never lock you up, after this - I guarantee."

Pacing Tucker shouted: "You are making me vex - this can't happen - you can't send me back to Westgate."

He then ran towards the door, but was blocked by a Police officer, he then ran into the dock and leapt over towards the bench sending Crown counsel Oonagh Vaucrosson running.

The officers were able to restrain Tucker in front of Mr. Greaves and near the press box, before he was escorted from the courtroom.

He was led from the court to serve out his $1,000 fine.