they have received a series of reports of thefts.

Thieves broke into a pair of parked vans at a Mill Creek Road warehouse and stole tool equipment from the vans.

The complainants said the vans were left secure last Friday, but when they returned on Monday they had been broken into.

Police are also investigating the theft of a handbag at Bermuda College on Monday.

Police said the bag was resting on a chair earlier in the afternoon and was discovered missing around 5 p.m.

The bag contained cash, credit cards and other personal items.

In a similar incident, a significant amount of cash and cheques was removed from Island Engineering at Well Bottom in Southampton. The theft was discovered on Tuesday morning.

Police said the thief gained forced entry into the building, managed to access a number of trays and remove the money.

CONVICTION OVERTURNED CTS Conviction overturned A man who pleaded guilty to importing cannabis while he was not represented by his lawyer has had his conviction quashed.

David Brangman, 36, will be charged with the same offence again after Chief Justice Austin Ward overturned the conviction at Supreme Court yesterday.

The Court heard Mr. Brangman, of Greenwich Lane, Devonshire, pleaded guilty at Magistrates' Court in August to importing three to four ounces of the drug in March this year.

His lawyer Richard Hector was officiating at the Commission of Inquiry into Serious Crimes and could not represent him.

Mr. Hector appeared before Magistrate Edward King later in August and argued unsuccessfully for the plea to be withdrawn on the grounds that Mr. Brangman was not represented.

Crown counsel Charlene Scott left the matter in the hands of Mr. Justice Ward, who ordered that Mr. Brangman be re-arraigned on the charge.

CHURCHS GET TOGETHER CHU Churches get together Shoppers can get a healthy dose of Christmas spirit during a joint churches carolling during at lunchtime tomorrow.

Hamilton churches are hosting a 20-minute cooperative carolling at the Anglican Cathedral, starting at 12.30 p.m..

Canon Keith Wassal said: "The birth of Jesus is good news and this is good news the city churches of Hamilton are coming together to share the Christmas message.'' Canon Wassal said all city churches have joined to host the service and all denominations are invited.

DRIVER FINED $480 CTS Driver fined $480 A Sandys Parish man yesterday paid the price for avoiding the "long-winded'' Transport Control Department.

Dion Bassett, 22, of Spring Benny Road, was fined $480 for traffic offences.

He pleaded guilty to speeding at 59 kph and possessing an invalid driver's licence on two separate occasions.

Acting Magistrate Kim Wilson fined Bassett $280 for speeding and $100 for each licence count.

When Bassett began to complain about the fines, Ms Wilson said: "It's cheaper to go out and get a driver's licence''.

Bassett said with a shrug: "But TCD is too long-winded.'' "Well you can just pay us the money then,'' Ms Wilson replied.

MAN FINED FOR DRUGS CTS Man fined for drugs Possessing 1.41 grams of cannabis cost a Warwick man $150 when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Michael Spencer, 21, of Peak Lane, admitted possessing a controlled substance on August 8 this year.

Acting Magistrate Kim Wilson heard Spencer was in custody at 12.19 a.m. and was searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Police found in his pocket a plastic bag containing a plant-like substance to which Spencer replied: "It's weed. I got caught, I got caught. I'm willing to take full responsibility for my actions.''