Maine man found with cannabis in Norwegian Dream cabin

An American tourist pleaded guilty yesterday to importing marijuana he said he "found" before boarding the Norwegian Dream cruise ship to Bermuda.

William Paxman, from Maine, in the U.S., however, conceded in Magistrates' Court yesterday that the 0.56 grams of marijuana in his cabin was something he had actually bought.

According to Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess on October 14 at around 11.30 a.m. officers entered Paxman's cabin after calls about the strong smell of marijuana.

A search discovered a clear bag with plant material that when tested was discovered to be 0.56 grams of marijuana.

When Police questioned Paxman that day, he said: "I found it before I got on the ship. I took possession of it. It's mine."

In court yesterday, he added: "I apologise. I didn't realise I was putting myself in a jeopardised position like this. I had it from when I bought it."

Senior Magistrate then fined him $1,500 to be paid immediately.

Technician fined 1,000 for cannabis

A 23-year-old AIG technician was fined $1,000 for possession of 2.45 grams of marijuana when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Paul Sawden, of Jennings Road, Smith's, pleaded guilty to having the drugs in Sandys Parish on August 1 this year.

Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess told court, that at about 10.30 p.m. that day, officers manning a traffic stop on Pander Road, Sandys, pulled over Sawden's car.

They informed him that the vehicle was subject to search and he got out of the car.

Officers then noticed Sawden taking something out of his pocket and trying to throw it over the wall.

Police grabbed the item and arrested Sawden before taking him to the Somerset Police Station.

Yesterday, Sawden, who has a previous similar offence, apologised to the court.

"It was stupid to do especially with the circumstances I was in before. Trust me this time it's really something," he said. "I didn't understand the severity at the time."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner then fined him $1,000.

Watch stolen in burglary

A tourist had a watch stolen from a Hamilton Parish guest house Tuesday.

According to Police, the thief entered the unoccupied cottage sometime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., making off with a Movado watch with a gold/black face and brown leather strap.

Inquiries into the incident are underway.

First time offender stole groceries

A 47-year-old woman admitted stealing more than $50 worth of groceries from The MarketPlace in Hamilton, in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Ingrid Rose Lindo of North Shore Road, Devonshire pleaded guilty to stealing $57.26 of groceries including Emergen-C packets, Mauna Loa milk chocolate almonds and Tylenol Extra Strength tablets, on September 24.

According to Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess, around 5 p.m. that day a manager of the Church Street, Hamilton store became suspicious about Lindo.

At the time she had a packet of Emergen-C drink in her shopping cart and two packets of the almonds. However when she approached the cashier she had neither in her basket.

The manager approached Lindo as she was leaving the store and asked her if she had anything she did not pay for and the 47 year old confessed she did.

The stolen goods were revealed in his office, the Police were called, and Lindo was arrested. Yesterday Lindo apologised to the court: "I am sorry. It was a stupid thing to do."

Lawyer Leo Mills, yesterday's duty counsel in Magistrates' Court, argued that it was an impulse crime, explaining that the former house painter had been unable to work due to bad circulation.

He said: "This was a crime of opportunity and one that resulted from a series of stressful circumstances she was undergoing at the time.

"She certainly has no history of committing offences like this. She is a woman of 47 years and I believe this is the first time she has been in front of the court.

"She admitted the offence from the outset."

However Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner insisted that if she could not paint she should find another job – such as cleaning houses.

He then ordered a social inquiry report and released her on $1,000 bail. Lindo is to return to court for sentencing on December 4.

Driver flips car, arrested at scene

A 28 year old was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving after he flipped his car in a single-vehicle accident at 4 a.m. yesterday.

The Devonshire resident escaped with only an injury to his right wrist however the roof of his car was extensively damaged.

According to Police, the accident took place near the junction of Lane Hill and Cavendish Road in Pembroke.

"It appears that a car was travelling north along Lane Hill towards Cavendish Road when the driver, a 28 year old Devonshire man, lost control and collided with the sidewalk causing the vehicle to flip on to its roof," said a spokesperson.

Inquiries into the incident are underway.