Deportee hit with fines after four years in a US prison

A Bermudian who has just arrived back on the Island after four years in an American prison was slammed with traffic fines in Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Lamel Steede, 29, of Pembroke arrived home on December 18 after spending four years and nine months in the New York Penitentiary. He pleaded guilty to charges of failing to stop for Police, driving dangerously, and not having a valid driver's license during a Police chase from December of 1997, before he left for the United States.

Crown counsel Charmaine Smith told the court that Steede was spotted by uniformed Policemen in December 1997 going through the Victoria Street and Washington Lane junction by the Hamilton bus terminal without stopping. He then made an illegal right turn.

Police gave chase. Ms Smith told the court how Steede attempted to escape with a series of U-turns and further traffic offences such as not stopping for stop signs before losing control of his motorbike on King Street. Acting Magistrate Will Francis fined Steede a total of $1,400, but gave him three months to pay in order to give him time to find employment.

Preliminary inquiry set for attack on Scott Jable

The man charged with the attempted murder of a tourist asked a magistrate to sentence him - to get "closure" - despite the fact the lower court judge does not have jurisdiction.

Lorenzo Robinson, 22, appeared in Plea Court via videolink from Westgate Correctional Facility for a mention hearing on the attack on American Scott Jable. He has already pleaded guilty to charges of the theft of a black handled pocket knife from Fly Bridge Tackle, and the theft of a gold ring from Dominic Wong, on October 28 - which took place minutes before the alleged attack on Mr. Jable.

"That's a Supreme Court matter," Mr. Francis told Robinson after he asked to be sentenced. "This is not a trial, this is for a preliminary inquiry - The only way you can have closure is in Supreme Court."

Robinson elected to have a "short form preliminary inquiry" into the attempted murder charge, in which Police evidence is usually accepted by the court without challenge by the defence. The preliminary inquiry will take place on January 17.

Drug trial delayed due to sickness

The trial of alleged drug importer Eddy Franklyn Filiciana was adjourned yesterday due to the illness of Crown counsel Graveney Bannister.

Filiciana, 44, a Dutch national, denies importing cocaine and possessing cocaine with intent to supply on December 20 2001. Filiciana's lawyer Patrick Doherty agreed to a request from Crown counsel Anthony Blackman that the trial be adjourned until tomorrow when Mr. Bannister is expected to return to work.

After the 11 woman and one man jury were sworn in yesterday morning, Acting Puisne Judge Archibald Warner dismissed them until tomorrow when the trial will begin.

Surety sought for man who forgets address

A Warwick man who did not know his own address attempted to give Acting Magistrate Will Francis directions to his house in Plea Court.

Deon Burgess, 37, of Khyber Pass, appeared in Plea Court charged with stealing a motor bike belonging to Mark Jollay in November of last year. He pleaded not guilty and was bailed until Mr. Francis asked for his full address.

"Khyber Pass, Warwick," replied Burgess. However he was unable to give a number for his house.

"We could take two weeks to find you up there," said Mr. Francis. "It's an apartment," said Burgess. "It's on the left."

"That makes it even more difficult," said Mr. Francis. "We need the kind of address the postman uses."

Finally Mr. Francis decided to bail Burgess for $500 with "the person you live with as a surety". Burgess will appear for trial in Magistrates' Court on March 3 at 11.30 a.m.

Lower court struck by bomb scare

Police explosives officers were called out to a bomb scare on Monday.Number one court at Magistrates' Court was closed off for 20 minutes at 9.30 a.m. following fears that a briefcase found in court might contain explosives.

But Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit officers gave the all-clear at 9.50 a.m. after finding the briefcase contained nothing more than files and papers.

Hospital gets new pathologist

A British pathologist specialising in the study of cells has been hired by the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Kered James arrived on the Island last Thursday, KEMH Chief of Staff Dr. June Hill told The Royal Gazette, and will begin working on January 13. "We are very pleased to have Dr. James on board," Dr. Hill said. "She comes to us from United Arab Emirates where she has been working for the past five years."

Dr. Hill said the new pathologist, who was trained in the United Kingdom, has accepted a three-year contract.

She replaces Dr. John Obafunwa, a pathologist with a forensic speciality, who left Bermuda in August before the end of his contract.

But Dr. Hill said there is still a second position open in the hospital's pathology department.

The post is currently being filled by a locum physician, Dr. Dragana Radibratovic, but the search is on for a permanent staff member.

Dr. James comes to Bermuda with her husband and her daughter.

"We're very excited to have her and I believe she will work excellently here," Dr. Hill said.