A 73-year-old St. George's resident was given an absolute discharge in Magistrates' Court on Friday morning after being charged with drinking in public and common assault.

Percival S. Pearman, from Wellington Park in St. George's was arrested on Thursday by police after drinking in public in St. George's Square.

Crown Counsel Graveney Bannister told the court Mr. Pearman was sitting on a bench in front of the tourism offices drinking from a bottle of beer in a brown paper bag. There was also an empty bottle on the bench next to him.

According to the police report, Mr. Pearman had told police "To hell with you" when they told him he could not drink in public.

Mr. Pearman was also charged with common assault after pushing a female police officer.

"She followed me into the men's restroom and that's the only damn excuse I have," he told the court.

Mr. Pearman agreed with Chief Magistrate Archibald Warner that he behaved badly.

"I expect a man of your age to have some fun, but you have to have more respect for the police," Mr. Warner said.

Mr. Pearman nodded his head in agreement.

He added that since Mr. Pearman had been locked up overnight, he'd been punished enough and after giving him an absolute discharge, warned him to behave himself.

In another matter on Friday, Mr. Warner slammed the actions of hooligans who took matters into their own hands by yielding machetes against each other.

"Just because you're provoked does not give you the right to act the way you did!" Mr. Warner told a 23-year-old St. George's man who appeared on charges of being in possession of two machetes.

Lico Smith, of Victoria Road, pleaded guilty to carrying to two machetes on the night of August 20 last year.

Mr. Bannister told the court that police responded to a report that a man was chasing another down Old Military Road in St. George's carrying machetes.

At about 11.30 p.m. police spotted Smith carrying the offensive weapons, but he fled on foot.

He was however arrested three days later on another matter.

"The way people are reacting to everyday problems, just because you're provoked does not give you an excuse to change people with machetes and chop them up," Mr. Warner told Smith.

Smith said he had been provoked and the other man had come to his house to beat him up.

"Everyone seems to think they can do whatever they want and that's the reason for the escalation of crime today!" Mr. Warner responded.

The court also heard that Mr. Smith had been on probation at the time he was arrested, but his lawyer, Larry Scott asked the court for an updated social report before sentencing Smith.

"There's a question as to the man's mental age," Scott told the court, adding that Smith had family problems as well as learning difficulties.

Smith will return for sentencing on January 21 and was remanded in custody.

Meanwhile a 19-year-old Pembroke man, Antonio Myers pleaded guilty to stealing jewellery from a friends' house on December 23.

Mr. Bannister told the court Myers had opened a window and taken a pendant from the property which he then sold for $700, spending the money on a trip.

Myers pleaded with the court saying he was sorry for what he'd done and begged for another chance.

But Mr. Warner said Myers, who has convictions for similar crimes, was a nuisance to his neighbourhood and he felt like locking him up.

"People in your neighbourhood can't trust you anymore," he said.

Myers told the court he was sorry and had learnt a lesson.

"What lesson?" Mr. Warner asked him, "You weren't locked up for more than two days?"

Myers said he had since returned the jewellery to his friend.

"A strong young man like you should have a permanent job and not be stealing from friends," Mr. Warner said and ordered a court report to determine if Myers was a good candidate for community service.

Myers is to appear in Plea Court on January 21 for sentencing and was released on $1000 bail.