three years after admitting he attacked a former girlfriend and viciously wounded her.

Floyd McCoy Smith, of Friswell's Hill, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and damaging property.

Senior Crown Counsel Mr. Brian Calhoun told the court that on May 13 last year, Smith's ex-girlfriend reported to Police that he had stolen and uttered some of her cheques.

Later that day, Smith called her and questioned her about her statement to Police and tried to convince her that he was innocent.

He insisted on going to her house despite her pleas for him to stay away.

Mr. Calhoun told the court 15 minutes later that Smith came to the house and asked her to step outside. When she refused, he struck her in the mouth. As she ran to call Police, he broke a window, causing about $300 worth of damage, entered the house, grabbed the phone and struck her in the face two more times.

He pulled her outside, yelling that she was helping Police in trying to lock him up.

Smith began to kick and punch her about the head as she lay on the ground, only stopping when confronted by neighbours.

The woman suffered bruises, haemorrhaging to the right eye and a cut to her right ear which required 30 stitches to close.

Det. Con. Mark Clark read Smith's eight-page record to the court, which detailed similar violence and cheque-related offences dating back to 1972.

Lawyer Mr. Archibald Warner, defending, told the court his client, an ex-drug addict, suffered from "acute abstinence syndrome.'' He added that Smith was not seeking to justify his actions and was very remorseful.

Smith apologised to the court and his victim, saying he was extremely sorry.

Chief Justice the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward sentenced Smith to three years in prison for wounding and one year in prison for damaging the woman's property.

Both sentences are to run concurrently. Mr. Ward said he took time spent in custody into consideration. He also ordered Smith to undergo counselling.

FRAUD TRIAL CTS A fraud trial involving former banker Calvin Shabazz was put off yet again when he was brought up for mention in the monthly arraignments session this week.

Shabazz, 45, appeared on Monday along with 15 other accused who have been arraigned but are yet to stand trial.

His case, prosecutors say, is the "oldest matter on the Crown's calendar''.

The delay this time was due to the firm of his former lawyer refusing to hand over his file, Supreme Court heard.

Shabazz' new lawyer Mr. Delroy Duncan unsuccessfully tried to get Chief Justice the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward to order Lord, Simmons and Warner to turn the file over to him.

Crown counsel Mr. Brian Calhoun had said it was out of his hands. Mr. Justice Ward indicated he did not see the need to make such an order and set Shabazz's case down for trial on August 2.

Unhappy with the move, Mr. Duncan said he would probably have to ask for a further adjournment then if he was still not in possession of his client's file.

He was unable to properly prepare for the case without the file, he said.

Furthermore, it would be a dereliction of his duties if he did.

The case was adjourned for the third time in March after Shabazz's former lawyer Mr. Archie Warner withdrew from the case.

Shabazz had indicated at the time to the judge that he was unable to afford a lawyer. He had "just finished an appeal at a very high expense''.

The case was originally set down for trial last May.

Shabazz denies charges of stealing and fraudulent accounting in early October 1990 while he was employed at the Bank of Bermuda. It was alleged he stole $43,000.