Deadbeat dads have been given a harsh warning after one father -- allegedly in child support arrears to the tune of $5,000 -- was arrested trying to leave the Island.

Michael Burgess, 34, a self-employed tiler from Workmans Lane, Hamilton Parish, was picked up by Police at the Airport yesterday morning trying to board a plane to New York.

He was taken to Magistrates' Court and ordered to either pay up or go to prison for a month. Mr. Burgess, who has an eight-year-old son from a former relationship, paid off $3,500 but is still said to owe more than $2,000.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis last night urged all parents owing child support payments should pay up.

And he reminded offenders that, if they were imprisoned, they were still liable for the debt following release.

"We are doing everything in our powers to try and get these debts cleared,'' he said.

"If a person tries to leave a country and they are in arrears then a warrant will be issued for that person to be arrested.

"Not paying is not really a crime as such, it's a civil matter.

"But it usually affects the most vulnerable in the community -- the young.

"But if you don't pay up you are in contempt of court and that's what you can go to prison for. People really do need to understand that. When you come out of prison you will owe even more because, with this type of debt, it accrues while you're sitting in prison. It's not like a fine where you can go to prison as an alternative.''