A 19-year-old Devonshire man whose nose was broken in a public fight with his friend argued a case of self-defence when he appeared in Magistrates' Court on charges yesterday.

Erik Simmons of St. Monica's Road, Devonshire, admitted fighting outside the Blue Waters Anglers Club in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 11, but insisted he was defending himself against his friend's actions.

According to Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess, at approximately 2.15 a.m. Police responded to a call that two men were fighting in front of the Crow Lane club.

The officers found Simmons and 18-year-old Roger Phillipe wrestling, covered in what appeared to be blood.

The men continued to hit out with their hands and legs even after they were separated. Simmons, who had blood running down his face, was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH).

He was treated for a broken nose and around 6 a.m. was formally charged with taking part in a fight. Phillipe refused any medical treatment and is set to appear in court on December 4.

Yesterday, Simmons refuted the Crown's report saying that he was acting in self-defence and had been pepper-sprayed by the Police.

"It happened in self-defence. He was on the back of my bike and started wobbling it. I stopped and he snatched my keys out of the bike," he said.

"He ran across the street and I grabbed him. The Police came and pulled me away and when I went to reach for the keys the officer came and pepper-sprayed me.

"He was really, really drunk and I was giving him a lift home."

Simmons, who is a labourer with BCM McAlpine, said he was also trying to save money to send himself to college and acknowledged the fact that a criminal record would keep him from this.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner promised his record would remain clean, but made it clear he considered the offence serious.

"Ultimately I will not record a criminal conviction against you. I want you and the other one to understand you cannot go around fighting," he said.

"It's my plan to put you in community service."

Mr. Warner then ordered a social inquiry report and told Simmons to return on December 4 after releasing him on $1,000 bail.