flat on his back on a pavement in Hamilton, Magistrates' Court heard this week.

Two concerned tourists pointed Police officers to where Rudolph Simmons, 48, was passed out on Church Street on the afternoon of May 3, Prosecutor Sgt.

Kenrick James said.

As Police helped Simmons to his feet, they smelled alcohol on his breath and noted he was very unsteady.

After pleading guilty to being drunk and incapable, the Devonshire resident told the court: "I'd been taking all this medication from my psychiatrist -- my mouth was dry and I needed to wash it down with something.'' Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis asked Simmons why he had not tried plain water.

Simmons replied that water "did not seem to do the trick''. Mr. Francis fined him $200 after hearing he had just started a job.