Canadian fined for attacking acquaintance

A Canadian guest worker has been fined $2,000 for attacking a man outside a Hamilton restaurant and bar.

Jeffrey Banville, 38, of South Road, Warwick, pleaded guilty at Magistrates' Court to the attack on Christopher Merritt, 34.

Outlining the case against the defendant, who is employed by Switchworks telecommunications company, Crown counsel Robert Welling told Magistrates' Court he knew Mr. Merritt through a colleague. At 12.30 a.m on July 15, 2006, the two men were together with other friends at the Pickled Onion on Front Street when they got into a verbal altercation. Banville was escorted out of the bar and restaurant by a bouncer but, said Mr. Welling, he waited outside for Mr. Merritt. When he did so, Mr. Merritt apologised over the exchange of words and began to walk away. However, Banville punched him as he turned to look back at him.

Police were alerted to the incident, and discovered Mr. Merritt lying on his side on the sidewalk, holding napkins to his head with blood running from his nose. He was taken by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment to a cut head and swollen eye. Banville was arrested, and later admitted to Police that he had assaulted Mr. Merritt. He has no previous convictions. Entering his guilty plea, he said he wished to apologise to Mr. Merritt, who was present in court for the proceedings. He said of the incident: "I felt threatened. He started walking away then started with the verbal abuse. There were two of his colleagues with him."

However, fining Banville, Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo said he did not accept that explanation, telling him: "This is a time and a climate in Bermuda when violence is unacceptable and must be deterred."

Man denies crack charge

A young man accused of possessing crack cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply will go on trial at Magistrates' Court on December 12.

James Walton Smith, aged 22, of North Shore Road, Devonshire, pleaded not guilty to the allegations when he appeared before the court.

The offences are said by the prosecution to have been committed on April 8 this year. Smith was bailed in the amount of $3,000 with a like surety by Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo.

Woman denies cursing cop

A woman accused of assaulting a female Police officer denied the offence when she appeared at Magistrates' Court.

Celesia Barclay, 29, is alleged to have said "kiss my ass" and sworn during the incident in Middle Road on Saturday, assaulting Police Constable Suzanna Moniz in the execution of her duty, violently resisted arrest and damaging a Bermuda Police Service shirt. Barclay, who is on bail, pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and will go on trial on December 17.

Police investigating slashing

A man was assaulted by an assailant wielding a blade in the early hours of the morning.

Police attended King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in response to the allegation made by the 31-year-old, from St. George's. He told officers he was leaving a residence in Spring Hill, Warwick, around 5.10 a.m on Monday when he was assaulted by an unknown man brandishing a bladed article. He sustained two lacerations to his head and his condition was described as satisfactory on a general ward yesterday.

The suspect is described as a black male, wearing a black raincoat type jacket with the hood over his head. Inquiries into this incident are underway. Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with any information to contact the Somerset Criminal Investigation Unit on 234-1010.