Drunken sailors set to land in hot water By Raymond Hainey Furious Royal Navy brasshats are set to throw the book at four drunken sailors -- one a woman -- who disgraced their country while on shore leave in Hamilton.

Two of the young sailors from HMS London pushed over three bikes, poured oil on two cars and jumped on the roofs of two other vehicles while the others laughed and took photographs.

The Navy is doubly furious because the Sunday incident happened only a day after Diana, Princess of Wales' funeral service at Westminster Abbey in London.

And the British sailors -- part of a seven-nation NATO task force visiting the Island -- were the only crew members from any ship to get into trouble.

Last night, Premier Pamela Gordon said the sailors' had shamed the Navy and dishonoured the memory of Princess Diana. She said: "It is especially serious because only the day before, representatives of the international force attended a memorial service for the Princess of Wales.

"It's a shame on Great Britain in relation to the persons who represent their country.'' Ms Gordon added: "Knowing the sensitive nature of NATO and the fact that you can have so many countries coming together to keep the peace, it's ironic that some of them chose to be something other than peaceful in someone else's country.'' She added that young Bermudians who broke the law came under fire and faced tough penalties -- and insisted there should be no double standards.

Ms Gordon said: "I feel that it's important that consistency is shown and that they should be severely dealt with for their behaviour.'' She was backed by Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness. He said: "Nobody minds sailors having a good time -- but nobody can condone them carrying on like that. "I'm extremely surprised that -- on this weekend in particular -- British sailors should behave like this.

"They should be made to swab the decks and do every other menial task without a break until they get back to England.'' The incident happened in Hamilton's Par-La-Ville Road on Sunday evening -- only minutes before HMS London was due to hoist anchor and with the four already overdue from shore leave. Antonio Esposito, 32, a waiter at Portofino Restaurant in Bermudiana Road, saw the four hooligans in action.

He and colleagues chased the sailors down to the harbour and restrained them until Police arrived. Officers agreed to hand the sailors over to HMS London for punishment. A spokesman for Governor Thorold Masefield confirmed that two of the seamen -- who have not been named -- face a roasting from their Captain, Commander Iain Greenlees. Two of the ratings now face charges of causing damage, being absent without leave and returning to the frigate drunk.

The others are also expected to face charges.

And it is understood that the two main offenders will be fined at least $1500, made to pay for the damage they caused, plus suffer further punishment -- which could include loss of leave.

The Governor's spokesman said: "It is very regrettable and there are no excuses for this. "The Captain has apologised on behalf of HMS London to Bermuda for the behaviour of these crew members.'' And he added that Cmdr. Greenlees had pledged to compensate the owners of the vehicles for any damage out of ship's funds pending recovery of the cash from the two ratings.

SHIPPING SHI