continue today despite a last-ditch effort by their lawyer to delay it.

The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed lawyer Elizabeth Christopher's application to have the assault trial halted until Justis Smith's Supreme Court murder trial was over.

Seventeen-year-old Smith, of Deepdale Road East, Pembroke -- who has been charged with the premeditated murder of 17-year-old Canadian visitor Rebecca Middleton -- has denied assaulting Det. Con. Lendra Davis and Det. Con.

Clinard Burgess on February 1.

Smith has also pleaded not guilty to obstructing Police officers, violently resisting arrest, and using offensive words near the junction of Parson's Road and Deepdale Road in Pembroke on the same day.

Smith's father, Richard Smith, was also charged with assaulting Det. Con.

Burgess and Det. Con. Barry Richards, and violently resisting arrest on the same date.

Last Friday, before the Magistrates' Court proceedings began, Ms Christopher requested an adjournment in light of the "serious'' charges the younger Smith faced in the Supreme Court.

But Magistrate Edward King denied her application, saying recent admissions by Smith's co-accused, Kirk Mundy, had more far-reaching effects than the assault trial could.

After the Supreme Court's rejection of her application yesterday, Ms Christopher again tried before Mr. King to have the matter adjourned, pending the Supreme Court trial.

But Mr. King refused to entertain her bid, saying: "I've said what I've said.

Don't waste your time.'' Last Friday several officers told the court how they were assaulted by the Smiths after they tried to search Justis Smith under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The younger Smith pushed Det. Con. Davis on her chest, causing her to fall to the ground and kicked and punched Det. Con. Richards in a bid to get away from the officers.

Det. Con. Burgess testified that he was punched in his mouth by Justis Smith and required five stitches to close the wound.

Det. Con. Burgess added that Richard Smith "rushed'' the officers, placed him in a choke hold and pulled the officer away from his son.

Other officers joined in and pulled the father off and arrested both Smiths.

The trial continues.