A Pembroke man denied being in possession of cannabis in an increased penalty zone - near to a school - in Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Perry Mosley Puckerin, 46, of Footbridge Lane, St. Monica's Road, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was alleged to have taken place on November 12 of last year. The court heard how Puckerin was found with the drugs on St. Monica's Road, close to The Educational Centre and Opportunity Workshop, and also close to Victor Scott Primary School.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves released Puckerin on $500 bail and set the matter down for trial on May 1.

Meanwhile, also in the Plea Court session yesterday, Anthony Smith, 17, from Warwick, pleaded guilty to being in possession of cannabis. Crown counsel Wayne Caines told the court that Police officers had seen Smith and another man travelling on a cycle.

When the officers pulled the men over, they noticed Smith throw something away. The officers found a $20 bill rolled into a twist with 1.3 grams of cannabis inside of it. Smith admitted that he knew cannabis was illegal and Mr. Greaves fined him $500 for the offence.

Habitual drink-driver remanded in custody

An elderly man with a string of convictions for drink driving was locked up on Wednesday, despite pleading to be allowed out to look after his 96-year-old mother.

Neville Tatem, 69, was remanded in custody by acting senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves when he admitted a drink driving offence in Wreck Road, Sandys. The court heard Tatem had previous convictions for drink driving in 1997 and 1998, and that he didn't turn up for trial on the same offence in February of this year.

Tatem, of Sound View Road, Sandys, said he had been to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and the latest offence was a “slip”. Mr. Greaves told him: “You've got to slip into jail. We can't have you people riding around like that all the time endangering people. I've got to put you away.”

Tatem said he had sold his car and bike and pleaded: “I am begging you your honour. I've got to take care of my 96-year-old mother who lives with me.”

His lawyer Larry Mussenden said the public good would not be served by locking up his client because he had to look after his mother, and suggested he be banned from driving up to three years.

Mr. Greaves remanded Tatem in custody to stand trial on the drink drive charges he was supposed to face in February.

March 24 trial date for fraud case

A man who won the right to have his trial reheard appeared in Magistrates' Court this week for a new date to be set.

Dwayne Gilbert, 40, of Granaway Heights, Southampton, was given a new trial date of March 24, when he will appear before Magistrate William Francis. Gilbert is charged with stealing or unlawfully obtaining a Bank of Butterfield debit card belonging to Leslie Wylie.

And he is also accused of attempting to defraud, by using the debit card in Maxi Mart in Sandys to buy groceries worth $330.01, and also of knowingly and fraudulently uttering a false document, a Bank of Butterfield debit card. Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves kept Gilbert in custody, but set the matter down for trial on March 24.

Purse theft results in $500 fine

A man admitted stealing a Louis Vuitton purse in the Blue Juice night spot when he appeared in Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Michael Gascoigne, 19, of Paget, pleaded guilty to stealing a ladies purse last Saturday. Crown counsel Oonagh Vaucrosson told the court that the victim had left her bag on the bar when she went to dance about four-feet away, but, when she returned, her friend spotted that her bag was missing. The incident was reported to the owners of the club and Police.

When Gascoigne was leaving Blue Juice, Police saw him lift his shirt and show his friend something that was bulging.

The officers approached and asked what the item was under his shirt and he told Police that he had a bag. Gascoigne was arrested and taken to Hamilton Police Station where he confessed to stealing the purse.

Mrs. Vaucrosson said he had no previous convictions and nothing was stolen from the purse, which was worth $162.

Gascoigne told Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves that he had been “under the influence.”

Mr. Greaves fined Gascoigne $500 to be paid immediately, or face 50 days in prison.