yesterday after he admitted attacking a man with bottles causing wounds to his face that required stitches.

William Gayle Samuel Gumbs, of no fixed abode, originally appeared in court last July when he pleaded guilty to wilfully causing damage to another person's property, but not guilty to unlawful wounding and two offensive weapons charges.

Gumbs was bailed and ordered to appear for trial on August 2, but he did not appear and a warrant was issued for his arrest. A trial was set for November 15, but adjourned until January 16, when he again failed to appear in court.

Magistrate Will Francis read through these facts in court yesterday and said: "It looks to me that the only way we will get this trial going on is to remand the defendant in custody.'' At this point Gumbs pleaded guilty to all four original charges.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke then read the summary of evidence, relating to the incident which occurred on Elliott Street in the City of Hamilton at 7.35 p.m.

on Thursday June 29.

The victim was Willoughby Woolridge who made a complaint to Police soon after receiving medical attention for his wounds at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Woolridge said Gumbs approached him and asked for $5, but when he refused, Gumbs became confrontational.

Gumbs went to a nearby trash bin -- grabbed a bottle -- approached Mr.

Woolridge and smashed the bottle across the right side of his mouth, splitting his face and chipping his teeth.

Mr. Woolridge's glasses and helmet fell to the ground, and Gumbs intentionally stomped on them until they were completely smashed.

Gumbs then walked back to the trash bin, grabbed another bottle and hit Mr.

Woolridge over the left eye, causing another gash, both of which required stitches to close.

Gumbs left the scene again and allegedly returned with a machete, but Mr.

Woolridge fled to the hospital, and no charges relating to the machete were brought against him.

After receiving hospital treatment, Mr. Woolridge made a complaint to Police and Gumbs was arrested on the same street just over an hour after the incident took place.

The court heard that Gumbs had many previous convictions dating back to 1963, which included several for wounding and grievous bodily harm.

His last conviction was in 1995 when he attacked a man with a machete, leaving him in critical condition in intensive care.

He was charged with attempted murder, but was sentenced to five years in prison for the lesser charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

In relation to Mr. Woolridge's assault, Mr. Francis asked: "What was this about? It sounds like there was a lot of malice involved.'' Gumbs replied: "It was this fellow Woolridge, Magistrate. He asked me to do something for him and he reversed it, do you understand?'' "I'm trying,'' replied Mr. Francis. "He did not do what he promised to do, is that what it was?'' "Yes'' -- and he was the one who came back with a big machete,'' Gumbs said.

Mr. Francis established that Gumbs did not receive any injuries, and told him that this was a serious attack and the use of weapons must be taken seriously.

He said he must also take into account the similar previous attacks, and sentenced him to nine months in prison for wounding, and six months for the three remaining charges, to run concurrently.

Gumbs nonchalantly replied: "Okay sir, have a good day,'' and was led away to begin his sentence.