Reginald Weeks of Scotts Hill, Sandys, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court this week to driving without due care and attention.

Prosecuting Insp. Peter Duffy told the court that on September 4, 1993 at 3.45 a.m., Police were called to a single vehicle accident on South Shore road 30 metres east of the entrance of Southampton Princess Hotel.

"Weeks who was driving a private car, at a high speed travelling west, lost control causing the car to roll several times on its roof before colliding with a tree,'' Insp. Duffy said.

He added that as a result of the accident Weeks suffered serious head injuries and along with the passenger of the car, had to spend a week in the Intensive Care Unit of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital receiving treatment for various other injuries.

Insp. Duffy also said the car was written off due to being crushed.

And told the court that Weeks had a past record concerning a number of driving without due care and attention offences.

Weeks' lawyer Mr. Tim Marshall said that his clients previous record were indiscretions in his youth.

"This accident has matured him. Neither he nor the passenger has much of a recollection of the incident.

"He has to deal with the what if's concerning the accident including putting his best friend in danger.'' Mr. Marshall added that the accident had also given a clear message to his friends.

"The accident has changed his behaviour and he appreciates that vehicles are not toys.

"Weeks also recognises that he could have lost his life and maybe taken the life of his friend and some passersby.'' Magistrate the Wor. Cheryl-Ann Mapp told Weeks: "You and the passenger of the car are very fortunate to have come out of a wreck.

"You couldn't drive me anywhere and you are not privileged to hold a licence.'' She added: "You are not a child, you have been before these courts for similar offences.

"I don't know if you were on a suicide mission or what but you are fortunate to have been given an opportunity to reflect.

"You must remember that you are never on the road by yourself.'' Mrs. Mapp fined Weeks $500 and disqualified him from all vehicles for 12 months.

YOUTH FINED FOR POSSESSING CANNABIS CTS A 17-year-old youth who pleaded guilty to possessing .71 grammes of cannabis was fined $100 in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Kevin Woodley, of Cobbs Hill Warwick, pleaded guilty to the offence that occurred on December 10.

Sgt. Earl Kirby prosecuting, told the court a Police patrol went out to investigate complaints that drugs were being sold on Ord Road in Warwick.

At 6.40 p.m. they saw Woodley and informed him he was going to be searched and found two pay type envelopes in his right upper jacket pocket.

The contents were analysed and found to be .71 grammes of cannabis.

BUSINESSMAN'S PLEA FALLS ON DEAF EARS CTS A 23-year-old businessman's impassioned pleas that it "would not happen again'' fell on unsympathetic ears in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Niall Devins, of Ariel View Road, Pembroke pleaded guilty to driving with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood on March 26.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Earl Kirby told the court that Devins, who was riding a motorcycle, was involved in an accident at the junction of Lane Hill and Cavendish Heights Road around 6 a.m.

He denied he had been drinking, but his breath smelled strongly of alcohol and a breath test revealed he had 199 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Devins apologised to the court and asked the Senior Magistrate to allow him to ride an auxiliary cycle since his job required him to entertain clients.

But Mr. Will Francis flatly refused saying that this was a serious offence in light of the high proportion of accidents caused by people driving under the influence.

He then fined Devins $450 and took him off the road for 12 months.

PAGET MAN GUILTY OF DRUNK DRIVING CTS A Paget man's third conviction for impaired driving cost him $600 and 18 months off the road when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Andrew William Crick, 29, of St. Michael's Road admitted the offence which occurred on March 23.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Earl Kirby said Police spotted Crick riding an auxiliary cycle in an erratic manner east on Middle Road.

He was stopped and arrested. At the Hamilton Police Station he failed the breath test, registering 199 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis noting Crick had two previous convictions for impaired driving fined him $600 and took him off the road for 18 months.

FAMILY OF US OFFICER SUES GOVERNMENT CTS The family of a US Army officer killed after a road accident in Bermuda three years ago is suing the Ministry of Works and Engineering for damages.

The late Major Herman Iorio died in January 1991 after he apparently lost control of his livery cycle on St. David's Road and collided with a van driven by a local man, Police reported at the time.

It is understood Mrs. Patricia Iorio of New York is claiming the road he had been riding on at the time of the accident was uneven.

Local lawyer Ms Clare Hatcher this week confirmed Mrs. Iorio had this week taken out a "protective'' writ claiming damages for the deceased's dependents.

Damages had not been quantified yet, she said. And she did not want to comment further on the case until it had been finalised.

Maj. Iorio had been visiting the Island with a group of cadets from West Point Military Academy.

He became the first road death of 1991 following a tragic twist of fate. He was treated immediately after the accident at the US Naval Air Station hospital for only a fractured arm, Police had said.

But he later experienced complications as a result of his injuries and died while being transferred to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.