Edward VII Memorial Hospital cost an 18-year-old Pembroke man nearly $2,600 in fines when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday. Leonard Winfield Rayner, of Boss's Cove, pleaded guilty to assault charges against two patrons at Champions Sports Club on Sunday.

Crown counsel Graveney Bannister told the court that at about 4.30 a.m., a fight erupted involving Rayner and two other men.

The court heard how Rayner punched and kicked one of the men, who had to be taken to KEMH for treatment of cuts and bruises.

Rayner also destroyed a car window but the damage did not exceed $60.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner asked Rayner to describe his actions.

"I was defending myself,'' Rayner said. "He thought I was going to fight him, but I was trying to break up a fight.'' Mr. Warner fined Rayner $500 for the assault and $500 for the destruction of property.

Rayner was also fined $1,550 for separate traffic offences, including riding without a helmet, riding an unlicensed cycle and riding an uninsured cycle on March 4.

Rayner pleaded guilty on all three counts and was fined $100 for having no helmet, $450 for riding an unlicensed cycle and $1,000 for riding an uninsured cycle.