A defence lawyer yesterday stressed the importance of his client's trial getting underway as soon as possible.

Lawyer Marc Telemaque made the plea during the monthly arraignments session in Supreme Court.

He is representing Paco Teleph Fubler who has been charged with the six year old murder of golf caddy Brian Sherlock.

Fubler's trial has been held up because the Police officer vital to the case is seriously ill.

Mr. Telemaque explained that any further delays would strengthen his assertion that his case is being "seriously prejudiced''.

The court learned that doctors of the key witness (the Police officer) expect him to be doing better by June 1.

Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller set a trial date of June 5.

Also yesterday, 22-year-old Michael Anthony Clamens of Mount Hill, Pembroke and 23-year-old Sharif Boyd Taylor of Aubrey Road, Hamilton Parish, both denied three drugs charges.

The pair were charged with importing heroin last August, possession with intent to supply it and handling it with intent to supply.

Crown prosecutor Sandra Bacchus said she and both the defence lawyers were in agreement that "it would be premature to set a trial date now''. Mrs. Justice Wade-Miller set the matter down for mention in July and extended the two men's bail.

Forty-seven year old Jaha Akili Mallory of Elliott Street denied two counts of drug importation and two counts of drug possession.

Mallory who is alleged to have as many as 20 passports, was charged with importing cannabis resin and cocaine with a total street value of $182,000.

He was detained at the airport on January 15, 2000, after allegedly trying to enter the Island with 1.2 kilograms of cocaine and 139.9 grams of cannabis resin.

He denied importing the drugs and possessing them with intent to supply.

Two Cottage Hill Hamilton Parish youths, Tyrone Calvin Simmons, 26, and Shadonna Kelly Trott, 19, will appear again for mention on May 1 on conspiracy to import and possession of heroin.

Simmons is facing an additional charge of handling the drugs. Both were released on bail.

A mention date of April 10 was set down for three St. David's men accused of possessing and handling cocaine intended for supply.

Otis Burt Ingham, of Lukes Lane, and David and Noel Ottley of Lighthouse Road, all deny possessing and handling cannabis worth more than $140,000 on May 27, 1998.

All three had their bail extended until their next court appearance.