Inattention causes $10,000 worth of fire damage

An apartment dweller mistakenly left a pot of grease over an open flame yesterday, causing a small fire which caused an estimated $10,000 worth of damage to the Bob's Valley, Sandys property.

Fire Service spokeswoman Lt. Wenda Godfrey said last night that no one was injured in the fire at #3 Cann Drive, but two firefighters wearing breathing equipment entered the apartment and doused the fire in less than four minutes.

Lt. Godfrey said it took the two fire trucks with five firefighters from the Port Royal Station a matter of minutes to arrive after first receiving the call at 5.05 p.m. It took another 30 minutes for lingering smoke to be evacuated from the apartment.

Man fined $1,500 for his dog 'Trouble'

The German Shepherd dog whose attack on a postman prompted a protest march through Hamilton has been saved from being euthanised because his owner's explanation and co-operation with the Animal Warden.

Trouble's owner, Edwin K. Bashir, 39 of Cooks Hill Lane, Sandys was fined $1,500 yesterday after he pleaded guilty in November to owning a dog that caused damage.

The maximum fine was $10,000 but Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo yesterday said he took into account the fact Trouble was tied up before the attack.

Bashir had also fully complied with Environmental Protection's Head Animal Warden, Geoffrey Benevides' instructions.

Warden Benevides had instructed Bashir to fix a kennel, reinforce Trouble's line and pay $344.44 compensation to Postman Larry Hunt.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines said at around 1 p.m. on September 13, 2005, Mr. Hunt was delivering mail to Bashir's home when Trouble broke free from a chain.

Mr. Hunt jumped off his bike and used it as a shield as he kicked out at the dog.

However, Trouble grabbed hold of Mr. Hunt's leg until two people came to assist. Mr. Hunt needed surgery and three days in hospital because of leg wounds, Mr. Caines said.

However, the prosecution did not request an order for Trouble to be put to sleep because he said it was Bashir's first offence and he had cooperated fully.

Bashir told Mr. Tokunbo it was an unfortunate incident but he had taken full responsibility for Trouble's actions. Ba"My children named him," Bashir said.

"Children would know," Mr. Tokunbo replied.

Canadian injured in cycle accident

A Canadian man is intensive care and his passenger is recovering from a broken leg after their bike collided with a taxi in Burnaby Street.

The taxi was travelling west on Reid Street on Wednesday morning when it crashed with the bike on the Burnaby Street junction.

The 20-year-old Canadian, is currently in a stable condition in intensive care suffering from facial and internal injuries while the 16-year-old girl pillion passenger is recovering on a general ward with a broken leg.

The driver of the taxi, a 57-year-old Hamilton parish man, was not injured.

Teen fined for offensive words

A teenager from Paget used offensive words to Police officers on Front Street , telling them "these cops are f****** corrupted in Bermuda," Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Crown Counsel Wayne Caines also told the court how Ryan Outerbridge, of Harvey Road, is alleged to have said "these faggot cops are just uneducated," and called them "n***er".

The 18-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge, and will face trial on February 16. Senior Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo bailed him to the sum of $1,000.

Burglar gets $800 in break-in

A burglar stole $800 after breaking into a Middle Road, Southampton home on Wednesday. Inquiries are currently underway.