A 16-year-old student pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court yesterday to possession of cannabis in an increased penalty zone.

Neville O'Connor, of Pembroke, was found with 3.49 grams of cannabis in Par-La-Ville Park on March 11.

The court heard that at 1.25 p.m. that day Police received a report of children smoking in the park - an increased penalty zone. When approached by officers O'Connor ran away but was soon caught and searched.

In a Police statement O'Connor said he was holding the drugs for someone else.

Duty Counsel Leo Mills asked Acting Senior Magistrate Will Francis to be lenient with O'Connor as he was a student.

Mr. Francis fined O'Connor $200 for possession of drugs, $1,000 for possession in an increased penalty zone, $200 for obstructing the Police in their duty.

Man charged with neglecting horses

A man charged with failing to provide adequate food and water for two horses under his care pleaded not guilty in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Calix Darrell was charged with neglecting two horses, Buckshot and Shaka, between October 15 and November 5, 2003 in Somerset. Acting Senior Magistrate William Francis set a trial date for June 30 in Magistrates' Court. Darrell was released on $500 bail.