Prisoner denies injuring officer

A prisoner was charged with wounding a female prison officer yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Lloyd Hilton Smith, 57, of no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to wounding prison officer Marion Madeiros on September 6 at Westgate Correctional Facility.

In court, Smith said he wanted a Queen's Counsel to represent him and claimed he had been told by a lawyer that no lawyer in Bermuda would help him.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner told Smith that, if he qualified for legal aid, a lawyer would be given to him.

The matter was adjourned for trial in January.

Smith was remanded in custody.

Absent soldier gets suspended sentence

A soldier who missed attending Regiment several times got a three-month suspended prison sentence yesterday.

Christopher Sean Gilbert Caisey, of School's Drive, Devonshire, pleaded guilty to missing Regiment 12 times between April and September of this year.

Caisey was enlisted in the Regiment in January 2006 and has two years and four months of service remaining.

Magistrates' Court heard from Crown counsel Takiya Burgess, that Caisey has missed several Regiment sessions in the past and received fines.

The 21-year-old explained he has foot and shoulder problems that prevent him from fulfilling his military service.

His grandmother appeared in court with him producing a medical certificate.

She told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner that her grandson could not wear the Regiment boots because they cause his feet to blister and bleed.

However, when Mr. Warner looked at the certificate, he said it did not refer to any of the dates the defendant missed.

Caisey was given a three-month prison sentence suspended and must attend the Regiment on all occasions.

One-year ban after impaired crash

A Warwick man admitted to drink driving after causing an accident and being taken to the hospital.

Sanjay Smith, 20, pleaded guilty to impaired driving after he was involved in an accident by White Sands Road, Paget.

The court heard from Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess that Police saw a silver Yaris leaving the parking lot of Ice Queen and heard a loud crash moments later.

The officers went to the scene of the crash and noticed the car's hazard lights were on, the rear window was cracked and the front window smashed.

They saw Smith on the ground with a beer bottle near by. He smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet.

Smith was taken to the hospital for minor injuries where his blood was taken for a sample.

It revealed the defendant had 123 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.

Smith apologised to the court but received a $1,000 fine and a one-year driving ban from all vehicles.

Impaired rider crashed cycle

A Southampton man denied driving drunk yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Joey Hayward of Middle Road, was charged with impaired driving and having an excess of 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

He pleaded not guilty to impaired driving but guilty to the second charge.

The court heard from Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess that the defendant was driving an intermediate truck in Sandys on August 20 and collided with a bike near a bend in the road.

When officers approached the scene, the 45-year old shelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and had glazed eyes.

He told officers he had had one drink at his friend's house.

When taken to the Police station, a breathalyser test revealed Hayward had 170 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

He was fined $1,000 and disqualified from all vehicles for 12 months.

Two homes burgled

Police attended two reported burglaries on Wednesday and yesterday morning.

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, officers went to a Cobbs Hill Road, Warwick home where the complainant said between 8.10 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. that day, a burglar entered his home and stole two digital cameras and jewellery.

At 5.30 a.m. yesterday, officers attended the second burglary at a St. George's guest property.

The complainants said between midnight and 5 a.m., a burglar entered the cottage and took jewellery, cash and personal items.

Police are investigating both matters.

Public called cops on impaired rider

A Hamilton Parish man received a one-year driving ban after Police came to his home and saw him sitting on his porch drunk.

Wayne Reid Robinson of Radnor Road, pleaded guilty with an explanation to impaired driving on August 4.

Magistrates' Court heard from Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess, that Robinson was seen reversing his cycle at the Crawl HIll Tigermart but reversed onto the sidewalk.

He almost fell to the ground, but got up and swaggered into the store and bought a few items. The 52-year-old left the store, got back on the bike and rode up Radnor Road.

Police received reports from customers at the gas station and attended the defendant's home to find him sitting on the porch drinking coffee.

He told the officers he rode to the gas station to get coffee. Robinson also said he had been drinking earlier at a camp site at Shelly Bay.

He was arrested and taken to the Police station where a breathalyser test revealed he had 188 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.

In court, Robinson said the officers didn't catch him riding and explained the alcohol was in his system from earlier that day.

He was fined $1,000 and disqualified from all vehicles for 12 months.

Four drinks put man over limit

A Warwick man admitted to drink driving after Police witnessed him swerving all over the road.

Richard O'Connell, of Whale View Lane, was seen riding west on Harbour Road on a red Honda cycle. As he turned on to Lovers Lane, Police officers observed him swerving the cycle across both lanes.

An officer pulled him over and noticed he smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and had bloodshot eyes.

The 29-year-old said: "I really had four drinks. It's my first time and I'm sorry".

O'Connell was fined $1,000 and received a one-year driving ban from all vehicles.