lightly at Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Denton Burchall, 22, had been "sorely tried'', said Magistrate the Wor. John Judge.

He gave the unemployed Southampton man 12 months conditional discharge.

Burchall, who admitted causing grievous bodily harm, had wielded the pipe after being driven into a fit of fury by Antwone Tucker, it was claimed.

Tucker had gone to Burchall's apartment in Sunnyside Park with friends, said Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting.

While there he fell asleep after drinking, and urinated in the kitchen sink.

Although he left the next day, he returned to ask Burchall for a bottle of vodka, said Insp. Duffy.

Burchall tried to get Tucker to leave his apartment, and then lost his temper.

He picked up the metal cylinder pipe and struck Tucker on the forehead, said Insp. Duffy.

"Tucker received lacerations and a fractured skull, needing seven stitches,'' Insp. Duffy added.

"Burchall was cooperative with Police, and appeared remorseful for his actions.''.

Mr. Wilhelm Bourne, defending, said Burchall had acted under provocation.

But he admitted: "The force used was slightly outside the bounds the law permit.'' Mr. Bourne said Burchall had been of previous good character.

Mr. Judge told Burchall he should control his temper, and call the Police if somebody was being a "wretched nuisance''.

"You must not take the law into your own hands,'' he added.