A machete assault victim begged the court for mercy after missing his court dates and fine payments last year.

Shane Fox, 25, who watched machete-yielding youths murder his half-brother Jermaine Pitcher then turn on him last February, pleaded guilty to three traffic offences and was allowed to keep his heavy truck license in Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Fox became a water truck driver after being released from prison for earlier traffic offences last year.

Fox, of Jenning's Lane, St. David's, pleaded guilty to two counts of speeding, at 58 and 80 kph, and riding an unlicensed motorbike.

Fox said he was going through a dramatic time last year after a cousin's funeral, the murder of his brother and the attempt on his life.

"I have been through a lot and I'm sorry,'' said Mr. Fox.

"I jumped on my bike and gave gas. The week after that I picked up my heavy truck licence. If I must beg the court for mercy then I beg,'' he said.

Mr. Warner fined Fox $950 for all the offences. Fox answered a warrant for his arrest after failing to pay a $450 fine for riding an unlicensed cycle last year.

He said he just got out of prison when the fine was due and could not find a job.

Mr. Warner said: "But you knew the fine was outstanding and you didn't come back to the court.'' Fox said he did not know he could do that.

Mr. Warner sighed and said: "This thing is simple. I treat you the way you treat me. If you respect this court, this court will respect you.'' Fox started a rebuttal: "With the way my head is...,'' but Mr. Warner cut him off.

"If your head is that bad, you better not talk -- with you driving a heavy truck around.'' He was given until February to pay all the fines or 30 days in prison for each count.