A teenager who cursed at the Police spent a night in the cells, but escaped a criminal conviction.

Magistrates' Court heard how Eugene Fubler, 18, was spotted acting suspiciously at the Mid Atlantic Boat Club on North Shore Rd, Pembroke, on Friday night.

According to prosecutor Carrington Mahoney, he was standing in a courtyard when he saw the Police arrive, but went behind a wall and appeared to dispose of something.

The officers followed him into the club and told him they had reason to suspect he was in possession of an illegal weapon or substance. They asked him to return to the area where he'd disposed of the item. According to Mr. Mahoney, Fubler's response was to ask: "What the f**k is wrong with you boy?"

He was arrested for using offensive words, and went on to curse at the officers some more.

Fubler, of Pembroke, pleaded guilty to using offensive words when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner. He has no previous convictions.

Defence lawyer Graveney Bannister told the Magistrate the defendant is in his first term at Bermuda College studying technical plumbing. He said the incident happened because the Police bent Fubler's fingers back as they tried to search him.

Fubler apologised to the court and asked Mr. Warner to be lenient because he wants to go abroad to study at New England Tech in September. He explained that he'd spent Friday night in custody as a result of the incident.

"This won't happen again," he pledged.

Mr. Warner handed him a six-month conditional discharge, which means he won't have a conviction recorded if he stays out of further trouble during that period.