Prosecutions yesterday when he adjourned a host of cases because the paperwork was incomplete.

Many of the cases at the monthly arraignment session in Supreme Court were adjourned after the Supreme Court Registrar refused to sign indictments.

It is understood they were not signed because they were submitted so late in the month.

If the Registrar does not sign them, the defendant is unable to enter a plea.

In the first case, of Reuben Nakima Roberts, Mr. Justice Ward told Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo: "The indictment was not properly prepared. It came to the Registrar too late and was not signed.

"We have got to start observing more closely the Act...in which a person can be properly indicted.'' Mr. Justice Ward adjourned the case of Roberts, 24, of Beandale Drive, Pembroke, who is charged with importation, handling and possession of drugs.

He also attacked the Crown over the processing of the case against David Jahwell Cox, 20, of Gables Lane, Devonshire, and Marcus Shawn Bean, 20, of Cedar Avenue, Pembroke, who are charged with robbery, wounding and possession of offensive weapons.

Adjourning the case, he said: "This offence took place on July 31, 1999, so the indictment was not filed until 12.39 p.m. on June 28, which is putting it a bit late, bearing in mind the evidence will be in the possession of the prosecution long before that. So what is the point of waiting that long?'' He also adjourned the cases of Konika Michelle Spence, 25, Vincent Victor Rabain, 50, a 28-year-old Pembroke man accused of a sexual assault, Clarence Nicole Simmons, 33, Damon Ray Burgess, 24, a 40-year-old Southampton man accused of sexual assault, and Alvin Anthony Leverock, 20, of Westgate Correctional Facility.

Spence, of Boundary Terrace, Devonshire, is accused of importation, possession and handling of drugs.

Rabain, of Club Road, Harrington Sound, Smith's Parish, is accused of importation and handling drugs.

Simmons, of Cottage Hill Road, Hamilton Parish, and Burgess, of Hillsdale Road, Smiths, are charged with burglary and fraud.

Chief Justice takes DPP to task Leverock was remanded in custody for reaching a probation order and is changed with breaking and entering.

Micheal Anthony Clamens, 22, of Mount Hill Mews, Pembroke was remanded in custody charged with importation, possession and handling drugs.

Sharif Boyd Taylor, 23, of Aubrey Road, Hamilton Parish, who faces the same charges, was released on bail.