Impaired driver banned after accident

Bystanders rushed to help a drink driver who crashed his bike into a wall, a court heard.

Gilbert Darrell Hill was driving on North Shore Road just before 6 p.m. on April 15 when the accident happened.

A witness saw him fall from his scooter and stopped oncoming traffic. Another passer-by, who noticed Hill?s breath smelt of booze, gave first aid and found bottles of beer in the defendant?s bag when searching for something to keep him warm.

Hill was taken to hospital for treatment and later failed a breath test.

Hill, of Twin Lane, Hamilton Parish, admitted driving while impaired when he appeared in Magistrates? Court yesterday. He said nothing when asked about the incident in court.

The 52-year-old was banned from the road for a year and fined $1,000.

Pembroke man admits cocaine possession

A 21-year-old Pembroke man has pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply after appearing in Supreme Court.

Both amounts of the controlled drug, that were discovered in his possession in January 2003 and May 2004, weighted less than six grams.

Judge Carlisle Greaves released Taykayhi Walker, of Peek Lane, on bail while social inquiry reports are prepared before he is sentenced for the offences.

Walker is next due to appear at court on August 1 for mention.

Reports ordered for serial burglar

A Somerset man who broke into three houses last year has appeared before a Supreme Court judge.

Kawesi Wilson, 30, who is currently at Westgate Prison, pleaded guilty to breaking into the three properties in June and July last year and stealing a number of items including two digital cameras, a laptop computer, food items and a watch.

Justice Carlisle Greaves ordered a social inquiry report and BARC report be made on Wilson before he passes sentence.

Wilson?s case will be mentioned at the July 3 arraignment session.

Born again Christian fined for drug equipment

A 42-year-old woman pleaded guilty to a drug charge from 2002 yesterday in Magistrates? Court.

Roselle Swan, of Mary Victoria Road, Devonshire, was charged with having in her possession drug equipment.

Police arrested Swan on December 16, 2002.

Officers saw her driving an auxiliary cycle on Church Street and approached her. The defendant appeared nervous and denied possession, saying: ?What? What? I ain?t got nothing on me.?

Swan was informed that she would be searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1972.

Officers found a small Ziploc bag containing a small glass bottle with a plastic tube coming out of it. When sent to a Government Analyst, the bottle came back positive for residue of the controlled drug cocaine.

When asked if she had anything to say, Swan said: ?That was my past but I?m a born again Christian so I have to pay.?

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner gave her a $200 fine or 20 days in default.

Man admits to stealing vodka

A Pembroke man was fined $200 yesterday in Magistrates? Court after admitting to stealing a bottle of vodka .

Henry Laing, 59, of Reid Street, pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of Russian vodka valued at $24 from The MarketPlace in Hamilton back in 2001.

The court heard that the defendant came into the store, picked up the bottle which was on display and placed it in a yellow plastic bag.

Laing then left the premises without paying for the bottle.

Laing was fined $200 for the offence or 20 days in default.

Homeless man discharged for receiving stolen boots and socks

A homeless man has appeared in court for receiving stolen boots and socks after a Hamilton shoe store was raided.

Police investigating a break-in at Boyle?s, Church Street, spotted Robert Eugene Hewey walking down Union Street, Pembroke.

He was carrying a trash bag and told officers it contained blankets. But when Police searched the bag they found it contained stolen socks and boots worth nearly $300.

Crown counsel Shakira Dill said that Boyle?s was robbed between June 13 and 14. Three pairs of brown Viking boots and five pairs of Nike socks were stolen, worth a combined value of $283.

She told the court that Hewey, 56, who admitted receiving stolen goods, had numerous breaking and entering related convictions against his name.

But defence lawyer Kenrick James said that the defendant?s version of events was different to that outlined by the prosecution. ?The defendant says that he found this stuff,? he said. ?He?s forthright about this.?

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner gave Hewey, of North Street, Pembroke, a one-year conditional discharge.