robbery of a Canadian senator and his two companions yesterday pleaded guilty to one count of serious sexual assault and three counts of armed robbery at his Supreme Court arraignment.

Anthony Ricardo Richardson stood quietly as Senior Crown Counsel Brian Calhoun requested four additional charges against him -- including deprivation of liberty and housebreaking -- be held back but remain on the record.

At the request of his lawyer Archie Warner, Richardson was ordered by Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux to undergo psychiatric evaluation and a social inquiry report prior to a January 2, 1997, sentence hearing.

Richardson sent shockwaves across the Island -- which were felt all the way to Canada -- when on August 12 he entered a home on Middle Road in Southampton and, brandishing a knife, tied up then robbed its occupants, including Canadian Senator Donald Havelock Oliver and two Ottawa, Ontario, companions on their first visit to the Island.

At knifepoint Richardson seriously sexually assaulted Sen. Oliver's female companion before stripping the trio of more than $3,000 in jewellery and cash and helping himself to food and drink.

The brazen daylight assault and robbery happened at Sunshine Cottage, the home of the Senator's wife and Telco executive Linda Oliver, and followed hard on the heels of the highly-publicised murder of Canadian teenager Rebecca Middleton.

The assault caused an uproar in Canada prompting some in the Federal Government to muse publically about issuing an advisory against travel to Bermuda.

Linda Oliver yesterday declined to comment on the case, telling The Royal Gazette she would have something to say after Richardson's sentencing.

Her husband, through spokesman Bruce Carlson, said: "He is relieved that this part of the process is over. He does not want to say anything at this point because the sentencing has not taken place.''