Rod Attride-Stirling to head Bar Association

The Bermuda Bar Association has a new President in Rod Attride-Stirling. The Association, which is the governing body for the Island’s legal profession, was previously headed by Robin Mayor.

The new vice-president, replacing Mr. Attride-Stirling in that role, is Kiernan Bell. Delroy Duncan has taken over from Ms Bell as Honorary Secretary. The appointments were made at yesterday’s AGM.

The Association is responsible for the regulation and discipline of members of the legal profession in Bermuda.

US Consulate to take to the airwaves

The US Consulate is to go on radio to inform the public and answer questions. The brainchild of US consul Margaret Pride and KJAZ programme director Marshall Griffin, “Ask the Consulate” will air on the third Saturday of every month, debuting tomorrow at 10 a.m. on 98.1 FM.

The 30 minute programme will invite listeners to learn more about “passports, visas and all that jazz”. The Consulate views the programme, which it says is a first, as another way to educate and engage clients.

DVDs, X-Box stolen from a house

Police are appealing for information about two burglaries which took place earlier this week. A number of DVDs, an X-Box 360 video game and cash were stolen from a home in Clarendon Lane, Hamilton Parish, between 8 a.m. and 3.55 p.m. on Wednesday.

The complainants told officers their property was broken into while they were out. In the other incident, a quantity of jewellery was taken from a home in Somerset Road, Sandys, between 4.30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, officers are also investigating a theft of tools from an unattended company van parked behind Unlimited Supplies in Elliott Street West, Pembroke, between 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday and 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Anybody with information about any of the incidents should telephone Police on 295-0011 or call the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.

Had valuables stolen? Check Police

A stash of jewellery is among a range of items recovered by Police following burglaries over the past few months. A ten-inch masonry Makita saw, two Power Glide reciprocating saws and a Makita chipping hammer are also ready to be returned to their rightful owners.

Officers say anybody who is missing the property and can identify the items by colour, serial number or distinguishing marks should get in touch with P.c. Carol Smith at Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295-0011.

CADA asks churches to pray in alcoholism fight

Churches have been asked to use the power of prayer to reduce social ills associated with alcohol.

The parishioners will be asked to pray this weekend for a reduction in drink driving and underage drinking. The Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA) also wants them to pray for bartenders and urge them not to sell to intoxicated people.

CADA Chairman, Anthony Santucci stated, “This is an ambitious undertaking by CADA. We have asked all the churches, synagogues and mosques in Bermuda to participate in a prayer weekend. This coming weekend was chosen because it is the weekend immediately before No Alcohol Day which will be observed on Friday April 27.”

CADA wants religious leaders to set aside time for prayer or give a sermon ton the harmful effects of alcohol. Mr. Santucci said: “We at CADA believe that if one person is impacted by alcoholism it becomes a community issue to be tackled. CADA welcomes feedback from the congregation leaders we are asking them to contact us and tell us how they participated in the prayer weekend.”

For more information about the prayer weekend and other Alcohol Awareness Month activities contact CADA at 295 5982.

Man fined for beating girlfriend

A 38-year-old man pleaded guilty yesterday in Magistrates’ Court to assaulting his ex-girlfriend causing her grievous bodily harm.

Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney told court Dane Stovell, was living with his ex-girlfriend on George’s Bay Lane, Sandys. At 10 p.m. on March 11, she returned from spending the weekend with her mother. Stovell got upset and followed her into the kitchen where he tried to choke her.

She ran into the bedroom and where he hit her, until she was bleeding from her head. Yesterday in court, Stovell disagreed with the events of the night and said: “I would like to apologise for being in front of you under this situation. When she came towards me I put my arms out to stop her.

“I defended myself. I was with that young lady for six years and I never tried to hurt her physically. I’m not even a violent person. She fell down on the bed and hit her head on the telephone.”

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo fined Stovell $2,000 with four months default.