hurled two large ballbearings at a Police car with a high-powered catapult.

Wilber Clyde Burt of Elliot Street in Hamilton pleaded guilty to charges of launching missiles at Police, damaging a Police vehicle and possessing an illegal weapon.

Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, told the court that on the evening of September 18, two officers parked their unmarked car on Elliot Street during a routine patrol.

Soon after they got out of the vehicle they heard two loud "bangs''.

Inspecting the car, they found a hole in the rear window. Later at the Hamilton station, a large ballbearing was discovered embedded in the back of a front seat.

After several weeks of inquires, Burt was questioned and admitted the offence.

At the time of his arrest, Burt said he was upset with Police because of another matter. He led officers to the catapult and a box of 94 ballbearings.

Burt apologised for his actions, and asked Magistrate the Wor. Cheryl-Ann Mapp to show leniency because his girlfriend is expecting a baby.

Mrs. Mapp asked him if he realised how dangerous it was to shoot heavy objects randomly into a public street, to which he replied: "But they weren't in the car. And there wasn't anyone else in the street.'' Burt was unable to provide Mrs. Mapp with an explanation for his actions. "I guess you didn't have anything better to do,'' she told him.

Burt will reappear in court later this month, following completion of the social inquiry report.