found a canister of "pepper spray'' in his back pocket.

Talib Nasir Madyn, of Rockaway Lane, Southampton, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to possession of a prohibited weapon.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said officers searched a group of young men at Angle Street, Pembroke at 11:20 p.m. on January 9.

They found a canister of oleon resin capcium (pepper spray) in Madyn's back pocket.

Sgt. Taylor explained to the court that similar varieties of the spray were widely carried by women in the US for self-protection.

He also reminded the court that the prohibited weapons charge was more serious than an offensive weapons charge.

However, after Madyn entered his guilty plea his lawyer, Wilhelm Bourne, told the court that there were "strong mitigating features'' to be considered.

Madyn's former employer and a former Member of Parliament, Gilbert Darrell, also spoke on Madyn's behalf.

Mr. Darrell described Madyn as a "man of rather good character'' who he was sorry to lose from the Gilbert Darrell Company.

Mr. Darrell also told the court of the incident which led Madyn to believe he needed to protect himself.

During Madyn's employment at the Gilbert Darrell Company "some men in an aggressive mood came to take him out'', Mr. Darrell recalled.

"One of them accused Madyn of calling him a name,'' he said.

"On the basis of that, they brought a whole group of people to the job.'' Mr. Gilbert explained to the court that Madyn "tried to do the right thing'' and called the Police for assistance.

But the men returned on other occasions and could never be caught.

"He did not intend to do harm to anyone,'' Mr. Gilbert said. "Talib felt threatened and didn't know what to do.'' Mr. Bourne then informed Magistrate Arthur Hodgson of Madyn's strong family support, strong educational background, and his plans to pursue Computer Electronics at the ITT technical institute in Florida.

While wary of possible ramifications, Sgt. Taylor said Madyn was clearly a "fine young man'' whom he did "not want to discourage from education''.

"The Court must actively and seriously discourage the carrying of prohibited weapons,'' Mr. Hodgson said.

"But I accept this as a case of naivete, innocence and fear.''