admitted assaulting his girlfriend.

Denton Fough, of Reid Street, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to using threatening behaviour toward Marilyn Harvey and unlawfully assaulting her.

Fough was in prison on remand for more serious charges. But they were dropped yesterday after Harvey said she no longer wanted to pursue the matters.

The court also heard that Harvey had been sending Fough cards for the past few weeks.

Prosecuting Insp. Peter Duffy said the charges stemmed from a lovers' quarrel between Harvey and Fough.

Harvey visited Fough's residence at the Canadian Hotel on May 28, he said.

They argued and Fough threatened Harvey.

A struggle ensued and during that time a knife fell to the floor, injuring Harvey's foot.

About 9.45 that night Fough approached Harvey at a bar on Court Street, Insp.

Duffy said.

"He threatened her so much that she felt she was in danger and left,'' he added.

Fough later caught up with Harvey and pushed her down some steps.

But Fough's lawyer Mr. Tim Marshall said it was the first time Fough was involved in any trouble with a female.

He said his client regretted causing any pain to Harvey and realised after spending "a good bit of time in Casemates'' that "it is better to walk away''.

"He wants very much to end this relationship, go his separate way, and have no further contact with this complainant,'' he said.

While Fough admitted breaching his bail conditions on June 1 by being with Harvey, Mr. Marshall said Fough felt that Harvey was pursuing him rather than the reverse and he therefore threatened her.

"He would like you to know that this is the first time he has been dealt with in terms of having any difficulties with a female,'' Mr. Marshall told Magistrate the Wor. John Judge.

"He does not have skills which allow him to occupy a high-paying job. But he is industrious. He cleans people's cars.'' Mr. Marshall said Fough also has a 15-year-old daughter who he tries to "assist as much as possible'' and he often visits his brother who is paralysed and lives at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Judge told Fough: "Society in general and this court, in particular, take a very serious view of assaults on women because more often than enough the man is bigger and stronger than the woman.

"It is an unequal contest when it becomes physical.

"Your actions certainly brought more on your head than you expected. I trust you have learned not to lose your temper and when a court tells you have to do something, you must obey it.

"But you have suffered quite enough.'' Mr. Judge ordered that Fough be released from prison and he gave him a 12-month conditional discharge.

"You're free to leave prison,'' he told Fough. "But if there's anymore nonsense, you will be brought back and a penalty will be imposed.''