Lawyer and former politician Julian Hall is to go on trial in May for the alleged theft of more than $500,000 from a widow.

The former MP has pleaded not guilty to stealing $551,044.07 from Betty Loraine McMahon between November 8, 1995 and February 20, 1996.

Hall, of Foothills Road, Devonshire, has been charged with five counts of stealing, and will go on trial on May 5.

It is alleged that he stole $250,000 on November 8, 1995, $175,702.71 on November 20, 1995, $40,000 on January 8, 1996, $45,180.72 on January 24, 1996, and $40,160.64 on February 20, 1996.

Also appearing at the monthly arraignment session before Justice Norma Wade-Miller in Supreme Court yesterday, a woman pleaded not guilty to importing heroin into the Island.

Valerie Patricia Grant denied the importation charge, as well as one of possession of the drug with intent to supply, on August 25 this year. She is to appear before the court again on January 2 for mention.

Paul Clarence Williams pleaded guilty yesterday to wounding with intent on September 9 this year, along with stealing liquor from the Henry VIII pub and restaurant in Southampton.

The court ordered a social inquiry report be completed and the case was adjourned.

Also accused of wounding with intent yesterday was Tio Tavaun Smith. He pleaded not guilty to committing the offence against Richard Smith on March 31 this year, and was ordered back to the court on January 2.

And a man, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty yesterday to having unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 14 between January 1 and 31 this year when he appeared for the first time in Supreme Court.

He also pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault, and his case was adjourned until January 2.

A new charge was read to Voorhees Eugene Trott, who is accused of killing 47-year-old Harry Palmer on June 9 this year.

Trott, of Two Way Lane, Deepdale, Pembroke, had earlier denied murdering homeless Mr. Palmer, but yesterday that charge was changed to manslaughter. Again, he denied the charge. Trott was represented in Supreme Court by defence lawyer Larry Scott, and the hearing was adjourned until January 2.

Mr. Palmer died in hospital on June 9, six days after being found lying unconscious on Cedar Avenue.

The man accused of murdering mother-of-three Chena Danette Trott made an appearance during the monthly arraignment session yesterday. George (Messy) MacDonald Liburd, 30, of Pembroke, has already denied killing Ms Trott, 32, at the Esso TigerMarket on Crawl Hill in Hamilton Parish in August this year.

He is to reappear at next month's session on January 2.

A 35-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Supreme Court again yesterday on sex offences and a trial date was set for May.

The Smith's man has pleaded not guilty to five sexual offences, including buggery, against a child. He has also denied committing an assault, causing actual bodily harm, touching a young person in his trust, inviting a young person in his trust to touch him and serious sexual assault. He is to go on trial on May 5.