A 34-year-old drug addict faced a catalogue of fraud charges when he appeared in Magistrates' Court last week.

Vernell Smith, of no fixed abode, was charged with 11 counts of fraud, one count of stealing, and one count of attempted stealing.

He admitted to stealing a wallet from taxi driver Harvey Williams, taking the wallet from the cab's glove compartment.

Smith racked up a $294.04 bill using a credit card found in the wallet, which also contained $15.

He used Mr. Williams credit card at Lines Food and Liquor Mart, Van Buren's Marine Shell Station, White's Supermart, Twin's Variety, and Arnold's Market in Somerset.

He also admitted attempting to withdraw $150 from an ATM with the credit card, for which he was charged with attempted stealing.

Smith threw the credit card somewhere near Paw Paws Restaurant in Warwick where a tourist later found it.

When asked if he had anything to say Smith replied: "I was thinking of myself and my drug habit. I apologise and am wondering if I can get help for my drug problem."

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlise Greaves remanded Smith in custody until mention on March 3 and ordered a Probation and BARC report.

A reluctant Bermuda Regiment recruit was given a six month jail sentence, suspended for 38 months, when he appeared in Magistrates' Court last week.

The court heard Pte. Noel Edness, 21, of Texas Road, St. Davids failed to show up to Warwick Camp on numerous occasions.

He was charged with two counts of failing to appear for duty ? between September 6-12 when the Regiment was embodied to clean up the Island in the wake of Hurricane Fabian and again between December 2, 2003 and February 10 this year.

Edness was given two concurrent six month jail sentences for the two charges, suspended for 38 months ? the length of time he still has to serve in the Regiment.

When asked by Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves if he had anything to say, Edness said: "No, nothing."