The jury heard no evidence yesterday in the Supreme Court trial of a man charged with wounding and burglary, as lawyers were tied up for the second day in a row in legal arguments.

Derrick Duval Binns, 34, denies wounding 65-year old Basil Hassell with intent to disfigure him and burglary on December 29, 2001.

The trial has heard medical evidence about the injuries Mr. Hassell allegedly received during the attack at his Cambridge Road, Sandys home, as well as evidence from the Police officer who arrested Binns. Vinette Graham-Allen and Wayne Caines appeared for the Crown, while Binns was represented by Craig Attridge. The trial, before Assistant Justice Charles-Etta Simmons, is expected to continue tomorrow.

Residents in Bermuda can get their cats and dogs spayed for free during March by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

In recognition of Spay Day USA today, the SPCA is urging people with pets to take them to a vet to be neutered, and the charity will give a 100 percent rebate. The owner of any dog or cat spayed between February 26 and March 31 will qualify.

President of the SPCA Deborah Riley said: “Spaying or neutering our companion animals is the only way to prevent surplus births and the misery of homeless animals, often resulting in them dying from starvation and disease.

“Spayed or neutered pets usually enjoy better health and behaviour. It's good for pets, their owners and the community. The savings in suffering to cats and dogs is priceless. The good news is that each of us can do our part to bring about this healthy state of affairs.”

For more information, people can call the SPCA on 236-7333.

A thief got away with a Nintendo Game Cube from a Paget home at the weekend.

A Police spokesman said the complainant reported sometime between Saturday at 10.30 p.m. and 9.30 a.m. on Sunday morning, a thief stole the Nintendo Game Cube and six Nintendo Game Cube games, along with $20 in cash and a black XLCapital gym bag.

Two homes in the same vicinity had almost $500 in cash and a laptop computer stolen over the weekend. A Police spokesman said both houses were on Blue Hole Hill in Hamilton Parish.

The first complainant stated that sometime between 3.45 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., a thief broke into her apartment and stole $60 in cash.

The second victim said between 10.30 p.m. and 9.30 a.m. on Sunday morning, thieves got away with $400 in cash, a Toshiba laptop computer, a gold Omega watch and other personal items.

Inquires into these incidents are underway.

Finance Minister Eugene Cox has proposed that Customs duty be waived for a charter boat company under the Industrial Development Act of 1968.

Under the Act, customs duties can be deferred or paid in installments for a period of up to five years on goods being imported for a project which will aid in the economic development of Bermuda, as approved by both Houses of the Legislature.

The Act reads: “The articles to which this section applies are all goods, materials, merchandise and construction and other equipment used in the construction or development of the project to which an approved scheme relates, including the equipment and furnishings therefore, as may be specified in the direction given under this section, being articles imported and used for those purposes before the approved scheme becomes operational”.

Under this Act, the House of Assembly resolved to defer the customs duty on a tour vessel which is being imported by Michael Gladwin of Spellbound Charters. The vessel is to be used by Mr. Gladwin to convey persons on tours, excursions, cruises and convention charters in and around Bermuda's waters.

The duty is proposed to be deferred for four years, with the House requesting the Governor to give a direction under the Act accordingly.