Appeal Court judges yesterday reluctantly adjourned an appeal by the Crown against the non-custodial sentence given to drug importer Nelson Bascome, Jr. after he said he needed an overseas lawyer to represent him.

Crown counsel Vinette Graham-Allen accused Bascome, the son of former Health Minister Nelson Bascome, of ?playing games? with the court.

The Crown, which wanted Bascome jailed, is appealing the three-year probation sentence given to the 24-year-old in December for importing $11,325 of cannabis, saying it was too lenient.

Appeal Court President Edward Zacca gave a stern warning to the Island?s lawyers not to mess the court around and to ensure their clients were ready to go when the court sits.

The court heard Bascome (pictured) was represented by Victoria Pearman, but she wrote a letter to the Supreme Court Registrar on February 20 saying she notified Bascome she was unable to represent him, and that a new court date had been set. He was also sent the court papers. New Progressive Labour Party MP Michael Scott took over the case but was unable to appear yesterday morning because he was being sworn in next door at the House of Assembly. His brother Larry Scott stood in and asked for an adjournment because Bascome needed representation from a Jamaican Queen?s Counsel.

Ms Graham-Allen said: ?The court made its intentions quite clear when Mr. (Michael) Scott was here. ?Mr. Scott also outlined the possibility to the court that he might not be in a position to represent Mr. Bascome today.

?The court was quite clear that whether it was overseas counsel or some local counsel, they should be here to carry on.?

Noting that Ms Pearman wrote on February 20 that she was not properly instructed, Ms Graham-Allen said: ?I think that games are being played with this court. We need to put the full facts before the court.?

Mr. Justice Zacca said: ?We are not happy about this situation and urge the Bar in Bermuda to treat with urgency matters which appear before the Court of Appeal that sits for three to four weeks three times a year.

?It is very unfortunate to appellants and respondents to have matters not heard when they are fixed for that session to continue to have the matters over their heads.

?We seek the co-operation of the Bar and I think the Bar should be more co-operative, especially with the Court of Appeal, and every effort should be made to be ready.

?It is no use coming at the last minute saying counsel is elsewhere or we are not fully retained.

?I hope that this is not a game and that the (overseas counsel) has been retained and that he will be appearing.?

Nelson Bascome senior appeared in court to support his son. The case was adjourned until the next session of the Appeal Court in June.