authorities for three years, has been taken into the Regiment's custody, pending a social inquiry report.

Vernell Eugene Smith, 22, of Khyber Pass, Warwick, admitted failing to attend 14 `B' company parades between June, 1989 and February, 1990.

Smith, who was before Magistrates' Court for the same offences three years ago, was then ordered to return to court on February 15, 1989. A social inquiry report was also supposed to be carried out.

But crown counsel Mr. Mark Pettingill said Smith failed to turn up at court and until recently eluded authorities, despite a warrant for his arrest.

Smith admitted missing a further five parades in 1990 after his court appearance.

Mr. Pettingill said even though the offences occurred three years ago, Smith was still "technically'' a member of the Bermuda Regiment.

And he asked that Smith be remanded in Regiment custody until the entire set of offences could be dealt with.

"This is clearly a very serious matter,'' Mr. Pettingill said.

Smith said he was homeless during the time he missed Regiment parades and "did not know what to do''.

"I had no clothes and no money,'' he told Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis. "I was kind of like a lost cause.'' Duty counsel Miss Elizabeth Christopher asked that Smith not be remanded in custody. She suggested a social inquiry report should be carried out.

But Mr. Pettingill argued that the offences were a military matter and Smith should be kept in the Regiment's custody, pending a social inquiry report.

"These types of offences are becoming far too prevalent,'' he said. "If Mr.

Smith is homeless, I would submit the Regiment probably will be the best place for Smith to be and the military could look into it.'' Smith said he was no longer homeless because he was staying with his father.

Mr. Francis remanded Smith in the Regiment's custody until January 27, when the report is scheduled to be ready.