Hamilton nightclub with a knife and stole $300 was yesterday given a three month prison sentence -- suspended for one year.

Dean Leslie Eve of Cedar Park pleaded guilty to theft and possession of an offensive weapon in Magistrates' Court.

Sgt. Peter Giles, prosecuting, told the court Eve entered the Spinning Wheel on Court Street on the evening of January 3. Sometime after midnight he became embroiled in an argument with another patron.

When the confrontation appeared to be getting out of hand, the club's bouncer stepped in and asked Eve to leave the premises. The 19-year-old became further agitated and charged at the bouncer with a six-inch dagger-shaped knife.

Sgt. Giles said the bouncer picked up a chair to protect himself, and knocked Eve to the floor with it. Although he was eventually escorted out of Spinning Wheel, Eve returned and announced his intention to take money from the club.

He then "terrified'' the club's teenage cashier, who grabbed her money bag and hid behind the cashier booth. Eve snatched the money left on the counter before leaving. He was later arrested at his home.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis fined the unemployed father-of-one $400 and gave him a three-month prison sentence, suspended for one year, for the "two distressing offences''.

"I think you need something hanging over your head,'' Mr. Francis said.