Two men who allegedly beat and burned a man on Christmas Day and then threatened to throw him overboard were found guilty of assault yesterday and await sentencing.

Art Delano Tyrell and Robert Lee (Caveman) Pitcher were charged in Magistrates' Court with unlawfully entering the home of Delante Hodsoll, damaging the bathroom door and sink, assault, stealing a bottle of scotch and five beers, and intent to steal $2,000.

Kuji Wade was charged with stealing alcohol and intending to steal $2,000 along with the other two men. Tyrell was additionally charged with using a beer bottle as an offensive weapon.

Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King gave a summary of evidence previously offered, relying primarily on testimony from Mr. Hodsoll since each of the three men charged refused to comment.

Mr. King said that Mr. Hodsoll was listening to music and drinking beer with a few friends on Christmas Eve, 1997.

At about 1.30 a.m. on Christmas Day, Mr. Hodsoll and one of the friends went back to his apartment at Mullet Bay Road, St. George's and were later awakened by Mr. Wade knocking at the door.

Although Mr. Hodsoll claimed they were only acquaintances, he invited Mr. Wade in for a drink and returned to his bedroom.

Mr. Hodsoll then saw Tyrell and Pitcher, who had entered the house along with Mr. Wade, and Pitcher asked Mr. Hodsoll: "Why are you disrespecting me?'' Mr. Hodsoll responded, "I don't want to hear it.'' Pitcher and Tyrell said they just wanted to get paid, then began to beat Mr. Hodsoll.

Mr. Hodsoll was kicked in the jaw, beaten with a screwdriver and a pipe, burned with a hot iron, and hit with a statue by the two men. He was then dragged outside to Rocky Hill Park, and Tyrell threatened to kill him and throw him overboard.

A nearby resident heard the commotion and stopped the men from injuring Mr.

Hodsoll any further. He took Mr. Hodsoll home and called relatives.

But Mr. King said he found it "odd'' that Mr. Hodsoll only agreed to seek medical treatment or to lodge a complaint with the Police after being pressured by family members -- despite his claims that the men tried to kill him.

"I am convinced that there is more in the mortar than the pestle, and Hodsoll has not come clean all the way,'' said Mr. King.

Mr. King found Mr. Wade not guilty of all charges. He found Pitcher and Tyrell not guilty of unlawfully entering Mr. Hodsoll's house, stealing the alcohol, intending to steal $2,000 and Tyrell not guilty of using an offensive weapon.

But Mr. King found Pitcher and Tyrell guilty of assault and damaging the bathroom door and sink -- which occurred during the scuffle when they beat Mr.

Hodsoll.

Pitcher and Tyrell's bail was extended until sentencing on Monday morning.