behaviour during the previous session of plea court.

Duty counsel Peter Farge said he was sorry to Mr. King, following an altercation on Thursday, when he had numerous exchanges with the acting senior magistrate over his role, in particular over one defendant.

At one point Mr. King told Mr. Farge if he continued his behaviour he would cite him for contempt of court.

The heated clashes came during the appearance of Leonard Rayner, 28, of Boss's Cove, Pembroke.

Rayner, who was unrepresented, elected Supreme Court trial for allegedly possessing five grams of cannabis.

Mr. King told Mr. Farge: "You heard me tell the accused he may be tried here or up Supreme Court -- that is the time you should have advised him.

"No, you waited until he elected a Supreme Court trial, after he said he understood that. Now where is the problem?'' "How many grams, five?'' asked Mr. Farge.

"Mr. Farge we are not supposed to know that,'' said Mr. King.

The magistrate told the accused man it was in his interest to get a lawyer.

"It is your choice,'' said Mr. King.

"When you return you may tell the magistrate that you wish to change and have a trial in Magistrates' Court because the first time you came here you were unrepresented,'' said Mr. King.

He then told Mr. Farge his role was a simple one and as duty counsel he should not seek to influence the plea of an accused person.

"The plea of guilty or not guilty must come from the accused man,'' Mr. King said.

"Mr. Farge, you are not his lawyer. You have no right to influence how this man pleads.'' "I have been doing this for many years sir,'' Mr. Farge responded.

"One hundred times wrong does not make the 101 time right Mr. Farge,'' Mr.

King retorted.

Mr. Farge said he believed the Magistrate was giving him a "terrible'' time because he was involved in a successful appeal against a decision by Mr. King earlier in the week, when two teens had been remanded on a breaking and entering charge.

Andrew Christopher Warren, 17, of Cherry Hill Park, Paget, and 18-year-old Derek Jermaine Caines, of Sylvan Dell Road, Paget were remanded in custody pending preparation of a social inquiry.

They were freed following an appeal by lawyer Juliana Jack, after spending one night in the Co-Ed Facility in St. George's.

Warren and Caines admitted breaking and entering, and stealing $10.75, and a SoBe soft drink from Brenda's Poolside diner on South Road on May 31, 1999.

"I appealed you successfully, God Bless you!'' said Mr. Farge. "I believe in justice.'' "If you stay there and say it was injustice I will cite you for contempt of court,'' replied Mr. King.

"I would rather not stay here and argue with you sir,'' Mr. Farge responded.

After he left the court yesterday, Mr. King said: "See... I am seldom wrong. Everyone makes mistakes. At least he had the intestinal fortitude to say he was sorry.''