Yellowknife (Oct 31/03) - A 21-year-old man's overactive salivary glands will cost him $500.

The man pleaded guilty to one count of assault Tuesday after spitting on a bouncer at the Ravens Pub Aug. 21.

"It's really gross for someone to have to put up with this," said Chief Judge Michel Bourassa in territorial court.

The man, who has no previous criminal record, is studying in Alberta and wasn't required to be in court for the sentencing hearing.

According to crown attorney Shelly Tkatch, the man became belligerent after being thrown out of the pub and spat in the face of a bouncer.

He was wrestled to the ground and after being let up, he spat at the bouncer a second time.

Meanwhile, a teen caught with nearly 50 grams of pot helped to lighten his own pocket book Tuesday in territorial court.

After the 18-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of possession, Chief Judge Michel Bourassa was in the process of calculating his fine but was unsure of the street value of the drugs.

"How much is a gram (of marijuana) worth," Bourassa asked the crown attorney and defence lawyer.

When neither could answer, the teen replied: "About $20."

Bourassa then used that number to calculate the value of the drugs -- nearly $1,000 -- and imposed a $900 fine.

"I'm of the view there has to be a relationship between the penalty (for possession) and the quantity," said Bourassa.

Buddies more

In other court business, a woman who beat up her "drinking buddy" during a drunken fit will spend the next few weekends in jail.

Sandy McCauley, 30, was sentenced to seven days in jail to be served intermittently for repeatedly kicking and punching her friend on Sept. 22.

According to crown attorney Shelley Tkatch, McCauley knocked her friend to the ground and kicked her in the head after a night of drinking at a downtown bar.

During the assault McCauley's mood changed and she tried to hug her friend, but then hit her once again and chased her to the Centre for Northern Families.

"Who knows what the source of that rage was," said territorial court Chief Judge Michel Bourassa.

"The accused needs to understand that she's out of control."