Pair deny possession of stun-gun, cannabis

A man and woman appeared in Magistrates? Court together last Tuesday to answer charges of possessing a stun-gun and a large amount of cannabis with the intent to supply.

Mark Ian Lightbourne, 29, of Collector?s Hill, and Michelle Elliot, 23, of Rose Gardens, Warwick, pleaded not guilty to four charges.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner told the couple they were were being charged with serious offences.

They pleaded not guilty to possessing a Hot Shot stun-gun, possessing cannabis with the intent to supply, possessing drug equipment and knowingly permitting the use of drugs at the Collector?s Hill residence on March 9, 2005.

Elliot received a $10,000 bail while Lightbourne remained in custody until their mention date on February 14.

Their trial has been set down for March 6.

Thief ordered to pay compensation

A thief escaped jail but was ordered to pay compensation to his victims by a Magistrate last Tuesday.

Victor Trott, 43, of Spice Hill Close, Warwick, pleaded guilty to stealing a $1,500 generator and $25 cash from Fisher?s Hardware in Warwick between September 24 and 25 last year.

He also admitted taking a payphone worth $350 and $5 cash from Clipz Barbers in Warwick between December 14 and 15, 2004.

Trott told Magistrates? Court: ?I would like to say I?m deeply sorry for the crimes I?ve committed. It will not happen again.?

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo asked him: ?How many times have you said that? You have really got to get your act together.

?What?s particularly disturbing about you is you are smart but you use your smartness to play games. I just feel you are jiving me.?

Mr. Tokunbo sentenced Trott to two, nine-month jail terms, both suspended for two years, for the thefts. He also ordered him to serve two years probation and pay $355 compensation to Clipz within three months and $1,525 to Fisher?s within six months or face a stretch in prison.

Traffic offender opts for more jail time

A prisoner chose to do time rather than pay his fines at Magistrates? Court on Friday.

Matthew Wilkinson, 43, an inmate at Westgate, admitted having no driver?s licence, no insurance and driving an unlicensed motorcycle.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined him $1,350 but told him he could do time in jail instead. Wilkinson, already serving time for non-payment of child support, agreed he?d rather do an extra 65 days inside.

Devonshire man denies cocaine charges

A 23-year-old man denied possessing cocaine with intent to supply when he appeared at Magistrates? Court on Friday.

Michael Benjamin, of Loyal Hill Pass, Devonshire, also denied possession of drug paraphernalia. The offences are alleged to have happened on October 20, 2005 in Devonshire. The case was adjourned until May 2 and bail was set at $6,000.

Drug charges were also denied by Lynn Michael White, 22, of Boundary Terrace, Flatts. He appeared at court and pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possession of cannabis on August 14, 2005 in Pembroke. The case was adjourned until May 4 and bail was set at $6,000.