Motorist charged with causing Cup Match star's death

A motorist has appeared in court charged with causing the road death of 26-year-old Cup Match star Travis Smith more than two years ago.

Donald Blake, 47, of Angle Street, Pembroke, was at Magistrates' Court yesterday to face a charge of death by dangerous driving.

He did not enter a plea and will reappear at court on Thursday, October 2. He was released on $10,000 bail.

Mr. Smith, of St. George's, who had a young son, was killed in a crash at the entrance of Terceira's gas station on North Shore Road, Devonshire, on July 6, 2006.

At the time, Police said he was on his motorcycle and was in collision with a grey Ingis Suzuki.

It was reported he was returning from the funeral service and wake for teenager Derick Paynter Jr., of St. George's, who was killed in a road accident days earlier.

St. George's off spinner Mr. Smith was voted MVP on his Cup Match debut in 2002, after taking match figures of 10 for 130, making him the first bowler to take five wickets in each innings since 1969 and the first ever as a colt.

He played in each of the next two Cup Matches, and also captained Bermuda's Under 19 team in the Americas Championships in 1997.

Man faces cocaine importation charges

A 39-year-old man yesterday appeared in court charged with importing $350,000 worth of cocaine into Bermuda.

Shawn Dill, of Sunset Lane, Pembroke, is accused of bringing in 524.9 grams of a mixture of the illegal substance in a bottle on Saturday, August 30.

Following a brief hearing at Magistrates' Court, Dill was told to return to court on October 2.

Elderly cruiser dies aboard the Norwegian Majesty

A 90-year-old cruise ship passenger died suddenly on the Norwegian Majesty when it was docked at Ordnance Island in St. George's on Tuesday.

Police said the man, from Pennsylvania, collapsed in his cabin and was attended to by an on-board physician but was pronounced dead just after 2 a.m. Foul play is not suspected.

$3,000 fine for threatening Police

A man appeared in Magistrates' Court to answer to charges of threatening gestures towards Police.

The court heard from Junior Crown counsel Aura-Lee Cassidy that on August 8, Police on duty on Front Street, noticed Jason Smith holding a Corona beer in public.

When they asked the 28-year-old what was in the bottle, Smith said: "Beer – all of you are foreigners right?"

He then formed his right hand in the shape of a gun and pointed it at the officers.

When the officers attempted to arrest him he violently resisted. He was eventually arrested and taken to Hamilton Police Station.

Smith, of Sunny Side Park, Southampton, has a previous conviction of assaulting Police, which dates back 11 years.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined him a total of $3,000.

Drink-driver was going wrong way down road

A chef was caught drink-driving as he drove his motorcycle the wrong way along Reid Street, a court heard.

Nicolas Lorieux, 26, of Smiths, was banned from driving for a year when he appeared at Magistrates' Court.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Michael McColm, said he was stopped by Police officers at 4 a.m. on August 23 as he drove his Yamaha motorcycle through the City of Hamilton.

"Police noticed the defendant travelling against the traffic along Reid Street," said Mr. McColm. "They told the defendant to pull over to the kerb, and noticed he appeared uncoordinated and somewhat intoxicated."

Mr. McColm said when officers asked Lorieux if he had been drinking, he replied: "I've had a couple after work but I'm alright. I'm just looking for a parking space."

The court heard a breath test showed the defendant was more than twice over the limit, with 179 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – the legal limit being 80.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined Lorieux $1,000 and banned him from driving for a year.

American tourists fined for cannabis

Two American friends vacationing in Bermuda had to fork out fines totalling $14,000 after being caught with cannabis in their underwear.

Shawn Brown and Christopher Palermo, of Rochester, New York — who both work with at-risk children — were arrested at L.F. Wade International Airport after being caught out by sniffer dogs, Magistrates' Court was told yesterday.

At one stage Brown, who was in possession of 23.4 grams of cannabis, was warned by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner he could face up to ten years in prison or a fine of $500,000.

After pleading guilty and asking for leniency a few days ahead of his daughter's birthday, Brown was hit with a $10,000 fine.

Palermo, who had 13.3 grams of cannabis, also pleaded guilty and was fined $4,000.

The pair, both 32, arrived at the Island on Saturday afternoon.

They said they were staying here for one week and that the cannabis was for personal use. Both apologised for disrespecting the Island. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Michael McColm told the court Brown had initially claimed the cannabis was for medicinal use.

Brown told Mr. Warner: "It was a mistake to bring it to the Island, sir. I will never do it again and I'm sorry for the inconvenience and disrespect to you and your Island."

He added: "Sir, I beg of you, I just want to go home. It's my daughter's birthday on Sunday. I have got a life back in Rochester."

Mr. Warner said magistrates often heard tales from defendants which "steal their heart" but insisted he had to sentence according to the appropriate guidelines.