fishing reels.

John Pace, 46, of Rockville Lane, Pembroke, denied in Magistrates' Court yesterday to stealing the $50 trash can.

But he interrupted the reading of the charges by Senior Magistrate Will Francis and said: "Excuse me, I took the trash can because somebody stole mine.'' Pace also denied stealing the fishing reels and the alternate charge of receiving the reels.

Pace told the court they were Marlin reels and he would not steal from a fellow fisherman.

"So it's a matter of honour with you, that you don't steal other fishermen's reels?'' Mr. Francis asked Pace.

"I'm saying I found them at the dump. I even cleaned them up,'' Pace replied.

Mr. Francis ordered Pace to return to court on June 29 for trial.

"I'd like to hear about these $3,000 Marlin reels,'' he added.