Lobby group Bermudians for Referendum will present a petition to Premier Alex Scott today boasting the signatures of close to 35 percent of the current electorate.

The organisation, founded by Michael Marsh, has been operating since November and insists that the only way to decided the issue of Independence is by way of a one vote, one issue format - the "purest form of democracy" as Mr. Marsh has argued.

They have been at pains to point however - despite accusations to the contrary - that they do not have an opinion on Independence either way, and are merely seeking to ensure the "true" will of the people is heard.

The final number of bona fide signatories stands at 14,008 - nigh on 50 percent of the number that turned out to vote at the last General Election.

A copy of the petition will also be submitted to Governor John Vereker.

Mr. Marsh said yesterday that he hoped Premier Scott will take heed of the level of support for the organisation's cause and would "do the right thing" when the time comes to decide on the issue of sovereignty.

The ceremony is expected to start at 2 p.m on the steps of the Cabinet Office.

Public Transportation Board supervisor Sandra Wade pleaded not guilty to stealing bus tickets to the value of $20,000 but pleaded guilty to receiving a quantity of bus tickets between the March 8 and April 21, 2005, property of Bermuda government.

Police obtained a search warrant and went to Wade's Barrack Close St. George's residence where the 42-year-old was arrested.

They discovered four packs of unopened tickets and a bag of three zone and 14 zone tickets totalling to $8,000 worth of tickets.

Wade's lawyer, Charles Richardson asked for social inquiry reports. The matter has been adjourned to July 19, 2005 before Magistrate Khamisi Tukunbo.

An unemployed mother of three was fined $8,590 by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner for a raft of traffic offences of up to four years old and ordered to pay $1,000 a month until the debt is paid off.

Additionally, Mr. Warner ordered that if Tenica Talbot, 23, of St. Monica's Road, Pembroke, misses any one payment, she will have to spend 30-days in jail.

Talbott pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including no driver's licence, no third party insurance, no vehicle licence, driving without due care and attention, failure to give her name to officers as well as speeding.

Two American 19-year-old Voyager of the Seas passengers are assisting Police after they were arrested yesterday on suspicion of assaulting an off duty Policeman and another man.

The officer and his cousin - a 26-year-old St. George's man - told investigating officers they were headed back onto Ireland Island North on the North Arm of King's Wharf when they saw a group of men blocking the road.

The men were asked the move so that the vehicle could pass but became hostile and surrounded the car.

A fight broke out after the officer identified himself as a Police officer. His cousin was punched in the face and pushed overboard.

Rushing to his cousin's assistance, the officer was pushed into the water as well. He was also pushed back in when he tried to get out.

The group of men left the area on foot. The officer noticed grazing to his right elbow and his cousin received cuts to his nose and left hand.

Police are investigating the theft of jewellery an X-Box video game and two game cartridges from a Granaway Lane, Southampton home on Tuesday afternoon.

The homeowner told Police that sometime between 3.15 p.m. and 4.20 p.m. an unknown suspect gained entry into her home.

In another incident, a Paget guest property was hit on Tuesday morning.

The victims who are visitors to the Island, told the Police that sometime earlier that morning, an unknown suspect gained entry into their home.

The culprit stole $320 in cash, a yellow Minolta underwater camera, a wrist watch and other personal items.

The jury pool was dismissed yesterday morning in Supreme Court after three Hamilton Parish men changed their plea at the start of their trial.

Twins, Jevon Marco Douglas and Jeron Marcus Douglas, both 20 from My Lord's Bay Lane and Neidel Kevon Swan, 21 from Crawl Point Lane West were charged with robbing Dr. JJ Soares on July 9 last year along Middle Road in Paget of his wallet, a Motorola pager, a gold ring and keys.

The three were charged with using personal violence in the robbery, but yesterday the Douglas twins pleaded guilty to wounding and causing grievous bodily harm without intent, but not guilty to robbery.

Co-accused Swan meanwhile pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery, but not guilty to wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Their lawyer, Mark Pettingill requested social inquiry reports and asked Puisne Judge Ian Kawaley to reconsider an alternative to incarceration.

He told the court that neither one of the three men had ever been incarcerated, all were employed and one of the men supported a six-month-old daughter.

Mr. Pettingill added that none of the three men had ever been in Supreme Court before and requested their bail be extended.

Mr. Justice Kawaley adjourned the matter to the arraignment session on September 1 and extended bail for the Douglas twins while remanding Swan in custody.

A man was released on bail after denying he assaulted a man and threatened a bartender who was an eyewitness to the attack.

Jahdal Denbrook, 24, from Bourne Drive, St. George's was in Magistrates' Court yesterday after allegedly attacking a man on June 19 in St. George's at a social club and then making threats on July 2.

Denbrook, represented by Charles Richardson, plead not guilty to the allegations and will appear back in court on July 26 for trial. Denbrook was bailed on $2,000 with one surety