earlier this year walked out of Magistrates' Court a free man on Wednesday.

Boulevard Blazers right back Dean Donovan Boyles, 32, of Peet Lane, Pembroke was stopped and searched by Customs officials on January 3 as he returned to Bermuda from Jamaica.

A Customs' officer discovered plant material in Boyles' bags and in his dreadlocks. It was later discovered to be 68.9 grams of cannabis with an estimated street value of $3,450.

Yesterday, Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis sentenced Boyles to 84 days imprisonment. But he took into account the time Boyles had already served and time off for good behaviour before he sentenced him.

Mr. Francis said he would also take into account that Boyles' father died while Boyles was being released from prison on bail.

Boyles' lawyer Ms Patricia Harvey told the court that her client had already served 56 days in prison before he was bailed on compassionate grounds so he could be with his father on his deathbed.

She said Boyles' father died while the bail was being processed.

Ms Harvey said her client realised he had made a "foolish mistake'' and "deeply regretted his actions'' and added that he was getting married and his fiancee was expecting their third child.

Prosecutor Insp. Peter Duffy said "imprisonment was deserved'' for this type of crime, but also asked that the time Boyles' served be taken into account.