appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday for failing to appear for duty.

Watched over by an officer and several stern faced Military Policemen, all of the soldiers pleaded guilty to the offences.

The court heard that Pte. Psalm Meshach Wade, of Spring Hill, Warwick failed to show for this year's boot camp.

A talkative Wade told Magistrate Edward King that he was guilty, but his explanation was that he had to take care of his two-year-old son.

Mr. King asked Wade where he was taken into custody by the Regimental Police.

Wade answered: "At a football game. But I was going up there (to Warwick Camp).'' Mr. King sharply answered: "There's no defence. I would be dead if Bermuda were at war because of one man.'' The court also heard that Pte. Terry Wayne Simons, 22, failed to attend duty 14 times between September and January this year.

Pte. Shae Outerbridge, 21, of Cottage Hill, Hamilton Parish, failed to attend for 21 Regiment duties from September 26 of last year.

Pte. Gengis Kahn Ebbin, 21, of Friswell's Hill Pembroke failed to attend for 19 Regiment duties from between June 25 and January.

But another soldier, 22-year-old Shane Benevides of Middle Park Lane, Pembroke, had the charges against him dropped.

Benevides, who appeared in court aided by a cane, said he had had surgery on both legs and a doctor's clearance.

Meanwhile, the other five will return to court on March 6 for sentencing.

MILITARY MIL