Court charged with assault causing bodily harm and unlawful destruction of property.

Twenty-eight-year-old Junius Carmen Caines was arrested on Angle Street late on Wednesday night following a knife attack at the Fish Hut on Court Street in Hamilton.

Police were called to the scene after Anthony Brown reported he was slashed across his left arm by a man wielding a knife. With a description of the assailant in hand, Police searched the area and found Caines a short time later.

Appearing before Magistrate Edward King, Caines pleaded guilty to the charges but told the court Brown should be the one before the courts and not him.

As Police Prosecutor Sergeant Phil Taylor read out the charges Caines glowered in his direction and remarked: "Just because I'm black you don't like me.'' He, meanwhile, told Mr. King, Brown had been "running the streets selling crack cocaine'' and taunting him over his brother's death. He added he only "brushed up against'' Brown, claiming he barely cut his jacket.

The Police say Brown was working at the Fish Hut when Caines approached and accused him of being involved in his brother's death.

Drawing a blade, Caines went after Brown, saying, "I know you were involved.'' Police maintain Brown received a three-quarter-inch wound to his upper left arm.

Court was told Caines had amassed a string of similar charges dating back to 1989, with the most recent in September of this year when he was charged with assaulting Police officers.

Caines told Mr. King he would apologise to the court for his actions, "but to the fellow I (did) that to I don't say I'm sorry because he's involved in murder. That fellow's a murderer.'' Mr. King sentenced him to six months suspended for two years on the first charge. On the second charge he fined Caines $100, and warned him to be on the straight and narrow for the next two years.