punching a local lawyer.

Ronald Semften, 47, of Michigan, pleaded guilty to assaulting Kim Wilson in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette said Ms Wilson was walking toward Queen Street from Front Street on August 20 with a friend when Semften bumped into her from behind.

Ms Wilson turned around and asked Semften why he had not said excuse me.

Semften then threw his right fist at her face and told her repeatedly to leave him alone.

Sgt. Mouchette said the blow caused Ms Wilson a lot of pain and she eventually caught up with Semften at Number Five parking lot on Front Street, where he was eventually arrested by Police.

Yesterday Semften, who is a frequent visitor to the Island, told the court he was "sorry the whole thing happened''.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis told Semften he did not understand why such a large man would attack such a small woman whom he did not know.

Adjourning the matter before noon to decide on Semften's fate, Mr. Francis ordered the visitor -- who was due to leave the Island at 3 p.m. -- to return to the court at 2.15 p.m.

At that time Mr. Francis ordered Semften to pay $300 and told him that such an attack could have landed him in prison.

He also ordered that Semften be given a Police escort to the airport to make sure that he caught his flight on time.