scene of the crime.

Dwayne Gibbons, of Granaway Heights Road, Southampton, bit the guard on the arm.

He appeared in Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and admitted a charge of assault causing bodily harm.

The 30-year-old -- with a Police record described as "horrendous'' -- was also accused of breaking and entering the Waterlot Inn with intent to steal.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis jailed Gibbons for nine months.

A suspended 12-month jail sentence for a similar offence was also activated.

Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, said two security guards were on duty at Waterlot Inn on May 11 when they noticed a light on in an office.

As they got closer, the guards saw Gibbons run out of the office and try to leave the building through a side door.

When Gibbons discovered the door was locked he ran toward the guards who grabbed him, said Insp. Duffy.

A struggle ensued, and one guard was bitten on the arm, but Gibbons was detained until Police arrived.

Insp. Duffy described Gibbons' long Police record as "horrendous''.

He said Gibbons had already received two suspended sentences for similar offences.

Defence lawyer, Mr. Archie Warner, said his client had a drinking problem, which caused him to commit these offences. He asked Mr. Francis, to give Gibbons "one last chance''.