Yellowknife (Mar 20/06) - An intoxicated man who entered a Hay River bar and had an altercation with a bouncer was given a hefty fine in Yellowknife territorial court last Tuesday.

Tyler James Comeau, 26, now living in Yellowknife, pleaded guilty to one count of assault, one count of remaining in a licensed premises after being asked to leave and one count of failure to attend court.

Comeau entered the Caribou Lounge in a highly intoxicated state in January 2005 and was refused service.

He then argued with staff and the bouncer walked away from him. Comeau then followed him, arguing and spitting in the bouncer's face.

The bouncer took Comeau's arm to bring him outside, but the accused started to fight.

He was later arrested, but did not attend one of his court appearances.

"You behaved like a loudmouth. You spat in his face and dragged him outside," Judge Brian Bruser told Comeau during sentencing.

"The victim doesn't want you in the lounge and I can understand why.

"You are walking a very tight, thin line and are heading for jail."

Comeau was fined $400 each on a count of assault and for refusal to leave the bar, and fined $500 for failure to appear.

He was also given a one-year probation term and ordered to stay away from the Caribou Lounge.

"The lounge will rest assured they won't have to deal with you again," Judge Bruser said.