Man admits stealing bag

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

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, and found it was missing when she returned.

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.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves asked if he had anything to say for himself, and he said: "I am sorry. It was a stupid thing to do. I was under the influence."

Mr. Greaves said: "If you can't hold your liquor - don't drink. You should be like me and drink milk. I like it fresh - I am a country boy and I like to milk the cow myself."

Mr. Greaves fined Gascoigne $500 to be paid immediately.

Impaired driver remanded in custody

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

Neville Tatem, 69, was remanded in custody yesterday 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."

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.

Man denies possesing drugs

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

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 last year on St. Monica's Road, close to The Educational Centre and Opportunity Workshop.

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

Meanwhile, Anthony Smith, 17, from Warwick, pleaded guilty to being in possession of cannabis.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines told the court that Police officers stopped Smith and another man travelling on a cycle and noticed Smith throw something away.

The officers found a $20 bill rolled into a twist with 1.3 grams of cannabis inside it.

Smith admitted that he knew and Mr. Greaves fined him $500 for the offence.

Guatemalan charged with importation

A Guatemalan woman appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with importation of cocaine and possession with intent to supply.

Sylvia Esquivel, 27, was not required to enter a plea as she will be tried in Supreme Court. She was formally charged through a translator as she spoke only Spanish.

Her lawyer, Larry Scott, said there was no bail application, and Esquivel was remanded for mention on April 7.

Theft accused gets new trial date

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

Dwayne Gilbert, 40, of Granaway Heights, Southampton, was told to appear before Magistrate Will Francis for trial on March 24.

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 purchase groceries worth $330.01, and also of knowingly and fraudulently uttering a false document, a Bank of Butterfield debit card.