$200 in Magistrates' Court.

Police Constable Sean Pyne, 28, also faces disciplinary action by the Bermuda Police Force for his assault on Jennifer Stirling.

Acting Senior Magistrate the Wor. John Judge summed up by saying: "Young ladies have every right to go about their social occasions with their friends without being harassed.'' And Mr. Judge said that Pyne, who is presently suspended, had "let down'' everyone in the Bermuda Police Force.

The assault happened on Sunday, May 17, when Miss Stirling was talking to a friend, Mr. Maurice Kelly, in the disco.

Crown Counsel Mr. Stephen Harrison said that Pyne and Miss Stirling had previously been "acquaintances'' and had been for a meal on one occasion, but there had been no romantic involvement.

Mr. Harrison said: "A discussion took place about telephone calls made by the accused which had not been returned by the complainant.'' He said that Pyne had been drinking and became obnoxious and was rude to Mr.

Kelly, especially about the "golf shoes'' he was wearing. Miss Stirling then became involved in the argument and asked Pyne to leave them alone.

Mr Harrison said: "Pyne leaned forward and put his hand down the front of her bustier coming into contact with the middle of her breasts.

"She pushed him back and asked him to leave. He made a sign with his middle finger and left.'' Pyne, who lives at the barracks at Police headquarters, formerly served as a Policeman in the United Kingdom before coming to join the Bermuda Police Force.

He had no previous convictions and was described as "unassuming, with a quiet disposition, working to the satisfaction of his supervisors'' by evaluator Acting Chief Inspector Norrell Hull.

Pyne denied putting his hand inside Miss Stirling's clothing but admitted that there was contact with the chest area when he touched her.

He did plead guilty to common assault having denied an earlier charge of indecent assault.

Defence counsel Mr. Mark Diel said: "This situation is no different than may happen quite often in these establishments. Late at night people of both sexes have been drinking and an individual may have gone too far.

"One can only guess what the court calendar would be like if every single one of these incidents were to come before the court. It certainly would be clogged.'' Mr. Diel said that the incident was uncharacteristic and regrettable, and said that he feared for Pyne's future in the Police force, and UK Police force if he is asked to leave the Island.

Mr. Harrison said that the matter was rather more serious than the defence had suggested.

He said: "The public has a right to expect that members of the Police force should abide by the law, in particular when it involves people less powerful than themselves.'' In his summing up Mr. Judge said that the case was a prime example of the effects of drinking alcohol. He said: "I do not think in any way that this is a trivial offence.

"Fortunately it did not go too far, but I cannot condone people being interfered with in their social life by people who are incapable of minding their own business.''