incapable in public.

Hodgson, Editor of the weekly Mid-Ocean News, apologised after Magistrates' Court heard he had been asked to leave the Little Venice Restaurant and Chancery Wine Bar in Hamilton on Sunday night.

He was arrested just after 8 p.m. And the 36-year-old explained in court that he was taking the anti-depressant Prozac, which had a "very, very bad effect'' when mixed with alcohol.

Hodgson, of Woodbourne Avenue, Pembroke, was taken to court in handcuffs, having spent the night in cells.

He pleaded guilty to Senior Magistrate Will Francis.

The court heard he was put in a taxi by Police at around 7.30 p.m. after he had "been a nuisance to patrons'' at Little Venice, according to Crown Counsel Leighton Rochester.

"He was asked to leave by management and was put in a cab and was supposedly going home,'' said Mr. Rochester. "But at 8 p.m. another Police officer was dispatched to attend the Chancery Wine Bar.

"Upon arrival, he discovered the defendant in the Chancery Wine Bar being a nuisance to patrons.'' Mr. Rochester said management and staff asked Hodgson to leave. And once outside, Police noticed his breath smelled, his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet, propping himself up on a railing.

The Crown Counsel said officers also noted Hodgson was "unable to walk on his own'' towards the Police car.

He also said the accused had been asked if he was on medication and said no.

Hodgson, defended by Elizabeth Christopher, said: "I just want to apologise but there is one correction to the sheet.

"I am in fact on an anti-depressant called Prozac. They don't tell you not to drink alcohol with it but obviously it had a very, very bad effect on me yesterday.

Editor apologises "My behaviour was totally out of character. I apologise to the court and the Police and anybody I inconvenienced.

"Prescription medication and alcohol can and do result in very strange behaviour.'' Fining Hodgson, Mr. Francis said: "I accept his apology and hope he has learnt his lesson now.

"This anti-depressant he is taking is something with which he should watch himself very carefully whenever he is drinking anything alcoholic.''