Man charged with kidnapping

A 32-year-old Pembroke man appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday facing charges of robbery, kidnapping and possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Genghis Ebbin, 32, was not required to enter a plea as the charges are indictable. All of them stem from February 28, 2007, starting in Paget, when he allegedly held his ex-girlfriend against her will.

Additionally, Ebbin, of Friswells Hill, is accused of robbing her of $500 in cash. Meanwhile, when Ebbin was stopped by Police in Warwick for an unknown reason, he was allegedly discovered to having a three-and-a half inch kitchen knife on him.

And sometime later, he is accused to removing a grey Hyundai car without the consent of its owner. The court also heard that he had previous convictions for similar offences.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner remanded Ebbin into custody until the matter is heard again on February 14.

Hi-tech burglary

Police are investigating a burglary at a home in Border Lane North, Devonshire, which took place between 8 a.m. and 1.30 p.m on Tuesday. An Apple iPod and Sony video camera were taken.

Missing girl found

A schoolgirl who had been missing since January 23 has been found safe and well by the Police. Karl-Shay Spalding, 17, was located on Parsons Road, Pembroke, on Wednesday afternoon.

New Mirrors workshop next week

Professionals seeking to advance their skills are being invited to join the MIRRORS programme next week.

The Government-sponsored personal development and transformation scheme offers free workshops for teachers and principals, office managers and administrators, human resource managers, probation and correction officers, social workers, substance abuse counsellors, therapists and guidance counsellors.

The Professional Workshop is being held at Elbow Beach from February 6-8 and 11-13.

It aims to encourage participants to explore thought-provoking questions and concepts designed to help them develop a clearer outlook of what they can accomplish.

A spokesman said: "We highly recommend this training for professionals who are committed to discovering new ways to make a difference in their clients' lives."

The programme runs from 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. with lunch and refreshments also provided. For more information contact 294 9291 or email: mirrors@gov.bm.

Cycle passenger injured

Police attended a road traffic crash at the junction of Middle Road and Tee Street in Devonshire involving a car and a motorcycle. It happened around 4.55 p.m. on Wednesday and Police say it appears that the car was travelling north on Tee Street and the motorcycle was travelling west on Middle Road when they collided.

The rider of the cycle, a 27-year-old Devonshire man, was not injured, however, the cycle's male pillion passenger suffered a bruised pelvis. He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment. The driver of the car, a 30-year-old Warwick man, was not injured.

Safety seminar will use flares in Hamilton Harbour

As part of this weekend's Safety at Sea seminar hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) parachute flares, which look like bright aerial rockets, will be set off in Hamilton Harbour.

The first set will be on Saturday afternoon from the waters off the club's marina and on Sunday from White's Island.

The RBYC and US Sailing are demonstrating the flares between 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, between 9.30 a.m. and 11.30 p.m. on Sunday, and between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The flare experience is part of the 'Safety At Sea' seminar hosted this weekend by the Yacht Club in Hamilton.

Sailors who attend the Saturday course will receive the US Sailing course certificate now required for many offshore events starting from the USA, including the Newport Bermuda Race that starts June 20th this year and the Marion Bermuda Race held in June 2009. Space is stilla vailable.

The Sunday "hands-on" course for worldwide ISAF certification is full. Registration is also at http://www.ussailing.org/safety/Seminars/index_new.asp

Govt. seeks input on 400th birthday party

Humans stepped foot on Bermuda 399 years ago and the Government wants you help on how to thrown a 400th anniversary party next year.

Next year marks the 400th anniversary of human history in Bermuda and the Ministry of Culture & Social Rehabilitation and The Department of Community & Cultural Affairs wants representatives from various cultural, arts, sports, corporate and various faith based groups to come up with some suggestions on how to celebrate.

If you have an idea attend a meeting at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 3.30 p.m. For details, call 293-1553.

Louis Vuitton bag snatched

A 51-year-old woman had her Louis Vutton handbag snatched on Parsons Road yesterday morning.

The woman was walking across a oedestiran crossing at 9.45 a.m. when a man on a motorcycle sped past her and snatched her bag. The woman was not injuried. Police are appealing for witnesses to call 295-0011.

Phone line fault hampers TCD

@$:Due to a techincal fault individuals whose vehicle registration expired yesterday were issued temporary permits. And the problem could continue today.

The Transport Control Department (TCD) advised the public it's computers were down due to a technical fault in one of the supply lines from the Bermuda Telephone Company. Testing continued, but forms and other paperwork were not completed.