man outside a Hamilton nightclub.

But Curtis Anthony Grant will spend seven months behind bars because he was found to be in contempt of court after he cursed while being led away after sentencing.

The Cochrane Road man was heard cursing as he was leaving the courtroom and was called back by Assistant Justice Charles-Etta Simmons who asked him to repeat what he had said. Grant denied saying anything but Crown Counsel Sandra Bacchus and three prison guards all agreed that they had heard the prisoner curse.

Ms Justice Simmons said: "Mr. Grant what is your problem? I just gave you a gift. Your conduct has been contemptible.'' After a brief adjournment, she returned to the court and ruled that she had no doubt that she had heard Grant curse.

"I cannot allow this offence to go unpunished,'' she said.

"It would undermine the authority of the courts.'' Grant was ordered to serve one month consecutive to the sentence he had just received.

Earlier Grant pleaded guilty to the assault of Shawn Stevens outside Champions Sports Club in November 1998.

Supreme Court heard that Mr. Stevens confronted a group of men outside the nightclub and became irate with a man revving his stationary cycle on the sidewalk.

He threw the owner's cycle keys across Reid Street and then punched him when he pulled out a knife.

Grant joined others who confronted Mr. Stevens and then chased him.

Mr. Stevens was caught near the Bank of Bermuda on Church Street and was knocked to the ground.

He was beaten about the head and body resulting in a concussion, fractured jaw and damage to his kidneys and liver.

Grant could have received a maximum of two years but was given a six month sentence as Ms. Justice Simmons said: "I take into account your early admission to the assault, the uninvited provocation by the victim, the injury you received as a result and your guilty plea.'' Grant was originally jointly charged with the offence alongside Gareth Randolph Bean.

Both men had earlier pleaded guilty to the assault charge but Bean yesterday changed his plea to not guilty before sentencing began. He will now face a new trial.