Pensioner denies machete charge

Sixty-seven-year-old William Rudolph Benjamin, of St. Augustine Road, Pembroke, pleaded not guilty to carrying a machete on King Street, Pembroke on February 10.

In Magistrates' Court on Monday, Benjamin also denied causing bodily harm and assaulting Akoni Cupidore at the same place and time.

“He has a right to bail,” defence lawyer Elizabeth Christopher told the court. “He is a 67-year-old senior.”

Crown counsel Oonagh Vaucrossen did not object to bail and Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner released Benjamin on $5,000 bail with one surety to appear for trial on Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.

Defendant fails to show for trial

A warrant was issued after a defendant failed to show up for his trial at Supreme Court on Monday.

Shannon Dane Somersall, 39, of Longridge Pass, Devonshire, is charged with two counts of breaking and entering the home of Dwight Aldon Furbert in Devonshire.

He is accused of having stolen $100 on the first occasion, between April 15 and May 7 last year. On the second occasion, on May 17 last year, he is alleged to have taken $15 and a pair of Brazilia sneakers.

Prosecutor Anthony Blackman said Somersall had failed to show up to a Magistrates' Court hearing last Tuesday and had still not been found by Police.

Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves, dismissing the jurors, said: “I have to say I feel a sense of real frustration. How has this country got so big that they can't find people?

“A warrant is issued. I expect Police to make the effort to find this man and bring him here immediately.”

Teenager denies assaulting Policeman

Eighteen-year-old Pierre Patrick Nicholas, of Whale Bay, Southampton, pleaded not guilty in Magistrates' Court on Monday to assaulting a Policeman on February 12, in Pembroke.

Nicholas also denied violently resisting arrest and using offensive words at the same date and time, namely: “F*** the Police, f*** those guys.”

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner granted Nicholas $2,000 bail with one surety to appear for trial on March 1.

Nicholas was represented by defence lawyer Rick Woolridge.

Drunk driver fined $800, taken off road

Murray Mark Blanchard admitted drink driving in Pembroke on January 21.

The 48-year-old, from Astwood Cove, Warwick, was stopped just before 1 a.m. on Church Street, Hamilton, after Police saw his bike swerve. It also had no lights on.

The defendant told Police he had drunk three or four pints, but tests later revealed he was double the drink drive limit.

Blanchard was fined $800 and given a one-year road ban. A cab driver was also barred from the road for 12 months at Magistrates' Court.

Police stopped Andrew Burgess' taxi on Middle Road, Warwick. The court heard officers had to swerve their vehicle to avoid a collision.

Burgess, 39, of Spring Hill Close, Warwick, admitted drink driving and driving without a licence on January 5. He was fined $900.

Greaves agrees to adjourn assault case

A St George's man who admitted an assault charge had his case adjourned by Supreme Court in order for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Jahdell Denbrook, 24, pleaded guilty to assaulting Rodney Burchall on February 19 2005, causing him bodily harm.

His lawyer, Anthony Richardson, asked Puisne judge Carlisle Greaves to adjourn the case to the next arraignment session on March 1 in order for Bermuda Assessment and Referral Centre and Social Inquiry reports to be completed on his client. Mr. Justice Greaves agreed to this, and extended Denbrook's bail.