The United Bermuda Party has rolled out convicted drug offender Devrae Noel-Simmons as its candidate for the Warwick South Central by-election.

Mr. Noel-Simmons, who was given a suspended sentence for possession of cocaine last year, told the media he has turned his life around and now wants to "come up with solutions to help solve the growing problems facing Bermuda".

He will challenge former Progressive Labour Party Senator Marc Bean and Sylvan Richards of Bermuda Democratic Alliance for the Constituency 26 seat vacated by former Premier Ewart Brown last month.

Mr. Noel-Simmons, an athlete and former American footballer, is said to have been arrested for possession with intent to supply on New Year's Eve, 2008, while working as a security guard; he was later given a suspended sentence for possession.

At his unveiling at Jones Village in Warwick on Wednesday, Mr. Noel-Simmons said: "I, like many other young Bermudians have made errors in judgement.

"I am not without fault; I was arrested on December 31, 2008, and was given a suspended sentence for possession of drugs.

"Thankfully that served as my personal wake-up call because since that time I have been determined to change my attitude and become a better member of society and not be part of the problem or end up a statistic like many young black men in Bermuda, whether educated or not.

"I knew then and there that I had to strive to come up with solutions to help solve the growing problems facing Bermuda."

He pointed to his experience as a security supervisor as a help in the fight against crime and said his experience as a small-business owner has taught him the value of training and giving people job opportunities.

Mr. Noel-Simmons was flanked by a number of potential UBP election candidates at the press conference, including Warwick West candidate Jeff Sousa, chair and Senate leader Jeanne Atherden, Tillman Darrell, Roderick Simons, Montell Currin and Nicholas Swan, the son of former Premier Sir John Swan.

But other than leader Kim Swan and Charlie Swan, no other MPs or Senators were in attendance.

Kim Swan said he was proud of Mr. Noel-Simmons, telling the media: "We have someone who's motivated and committed to helping people not make the same mistake.

"If we can get more Devrae Noel-Simmonses to stand up and look more problems in the face and say, 'I'm here to make a difference,' Bermuda will be a better place.

"Let he without sin cast the first stone. This young man has put himself forward and I'm proud to stand beside him. That's what we need more of in this Country."

The by-election, in a seat considered a PLP stronghold since it was formed in 2003, takes place on Wednesday, December 15.