ERROR RG P4 11.2.1998 A story in yesterday's paper incorrectly stated that Magistrate Edward King sentenced Denise Patricia Evans to a total of five months in prison. Mr. King handed down five three-month sentences which are to run concurrently.

Magistrate Edward King yesterday asked a woman to open her jacket to prove that she was pregnant.

His request came after Denise Patricia Evans, 32, of Curving Avenue, Pembroke, failed to show up in court last month on drug charges.

Evans -- who pleaded guilty to possessing drug equipment on October 16 last year and September 18, 1996 -- told Mr. King she was sick.

Mr. King later learned that Evans was two months pregnant and he sentenced her to five months in prison in order to protect her unborn child.

Evans pleaded guilty to possessing drug equipment on October 16 last year.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor told the court that when she was approached to be searched in an abandoned house on Angle Street, Evans dropped an object.

Police found the object, a makeshift crack pipe made from an alcohol miniature bottle, and Evans only admitted to the offence the next day after questioning.

Traces of cocaine were later found in the pipe.

In September, 1996 Evans tried to hide another miniature bottle in her sleeve while being searched by a Policewoman at Hamilton Police Station. Traces of cocaine were also found in that pipe.

Mr. King sentenced Evans to three months in prison on each charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.

After handing down the sentence, Mr. King was made aware of other charges against Evans, including receiving, forging and uttering a stolen cheque.

Mr. King noted the date of the new offence and asked Evans the nature of her illness. She replied she was eight weeks pregnant.

Mr. King asked that her handcuffs be removed so that Evans could open her jacket and he could see for himself.

Sgt. Taylor told the court that on January 9 another person not before the court stole belongings of Daniel Smith and shortly afterward gave a cheque to Evans.

The next day she used it to make a purchase from Dismont Robinson on Front Street and received $130.36 in change from the cashier.

Mr. King sentenced Evans to three months in prison for each of the three new charges. And he explained that she would serve all five sentences concurrently.