Former Government Minister Nelson Bascome saw his scheduled theft trial delayed until April during a brief appearance at Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Mr. Bascome denies the allegation that he stole $56,000 entrusted to him by the Bank of Bermuda for business purposes between September, 2003 and February, 2004 and $20,000 from the Natural Business Company, of which he was a director, in March, 2004.

Both Senior Crown counsel Paula Tyndale and defence lawyer Victoria Pearman cited scheduling problems in asking for the adjournment.

Mr. Bascome is the Progressive Labour Party candidate in Pembroke East Central for the General Election on December 18.