Preliminary inquiry for cop accused of sexually abusing minors

A police officer accused of six sexual offences against minors will undergo a long-form preliminary inquiry in October to see if there is enough evidence to warrant a full court case.

The 37-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons is accused of sexually assaulting a minor in St. George's and Smith's between May 1, 1996 and September 1, 1998. He is also accused of touching and having carnal knowledge of the same minor.

He is also accused of sexually assaulting and touching another minor between June 1, 1998 and June 30, 1998.

He was granted $5,000 bail with like surety, ordered to surrender travel documents and have no contact with prosecution witnesses before his hearing on October 10.

Devonshire man caught red handed

A Devonshire man has been fined $500 after admitting stealing from work.

Shannon Somersall, 37, of Long Ridge Pass, pleaded guilty in plea court yesterday to taking two propane canisters, a lighter and an oil lamp from SAL limited in Industrial Park Road, Southampton on May 28.

The company CEO became suspicious when he noticed footprints on the toilet bowl and found the items stashed in the roof.

He kept watch and noticed Somersall emerge from the locked toilet later with a bag and alerted Police who found him at the bus stop where he confessed to taking the goods worth $38.

In court yesterday Somersall apologised for the offence but said he had been paid very little compared to what he had been promised.

Crown Counsel Juan Wolffe said Somersall had a string of theft, breaking and entering and dishonesty offences.

He said: "His record can only be described as horrendous."

Somersall was fined $500 by magistrate Will Francis.

Fish stolen from Hotel Association

Thieves broke into the Bermuda Hotel Association building in King Street, Hamilton, overnight on Tuesday stealing a quantity of tuna and hog fish, six litre bottles of liquor and a case of beer.

And a house in Sylvan Dell Road, Paget, was broken into between 8.15 and 11.15 a.m. on Wednesday when thieves stole a two foot tall baby bottle shaped bank.

Man denies possessing cocaine

A Sandys man faces trial after denying possession of cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply and obstructing a police officer in Sandys on July 18.

Jelani Butterfield, 23, of Scaur Lane, was given $10,000 bail with like surety to reappear on December 21.

Hefty fine for using friend's passport

A Devonshire man who borrowed a roommate's passport in a doomed bid to get around the US stop list has been fined $3,000.

Michael Benjamin, a 21-year-old autobody worker, was picked up by US immigration at Bermuda airport as he attempted to leave using Mandel Outerbridge's passport on May 20.

In plea court yesterday Benjamin apologised to magistrate William Francis but explained he had tried the ruse because he was on the stop list.

Mr. Francis described the offence as very serious and said it could have put Mr. Outerbridge in all sorts of bother if Benjamin had got in trouble while in the US.

He fined Benjamin $3,000 which he must pay by September 12 or face 180 days in prison.

Bicari wall collapse death report progressing

Coroner's Officer Philip Taylor confirmed yesterday he has been given a file on the death of teacher's aide Andrea Bicari who was killed when a wall collapsed on her car at Bermuda College this year.

However he said he was waiting for more information from government and would be consulting with Coronor Carlisle Greaves before setting an inquest date.

The wall, which collapsed in January, divides the College from Elbow Beach.

An inquest, which sits before a jury of seven to 11 people, does not apportion blame but decides who had died as well as when, where and how.

Inquests do not preclude civil action and if an inquest starts to point the finger of blame at someone it can be halted and the case referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a criminal court case.