robbery of Woody's Drive Inn admitted a bloodstained skully found in a car he was driving was his.

Sgt. Mike Chlebek said two Police constables on their way to the scene of the crime saw a green Mazda car approach Watford Bridge from Boaz Island.

It was the only car they saw after leaving Somerset Police Station to respond to the robbery.

Sgt. Chlebek was testifying in the trial of Randolph Lightbourne, 31, who has pleaded not guilty to robbing the Sandys restaurant and wounding manager Owen Trott, with an intent to cause grievous bodily harm, on December 22, 1995.

Sgt. Chlebek said Lightbourne gave a voluntary statement in the early hours of that morning at Somerset Police Station where he told of driving around Sandys Parish several times between two friend's homes and his parents' home after 9 p.m. on December 21.

The officer added that Lightbourne said he left his parents' home after he tried to wake his younger brother shortly after 1 p.m. and went to a friend's home to check on the condition of his bike before being stopped at Somerset Bridge.

Sgt. Chlebek said Lightbourne never mentioned being on Boaz Island or crossing Watford Bridge at any time during the statement.

"Lightbourne said `definitely not' when he was told his car was seen near Watford Bridge shortly after the incident,'' he continued.

And he said he conducted a five minute search of the car Lightbourne was driving during which he found a brown skully and a marine flare.

Later, under further questioning by Police, Lightbourne admitted the skully was his and that he did wear it.

Sgt. Chlebek said P.c. Simon Payne told Lightbourne that he and P.c. David Gillies saw him driving east on Malabar Road close to the approach to Watford Bridge.

"P.c. Payne showed Lightbourne the palm of his hand where he had written the licence number 27389 of a green Mazda,'' Sgt.Chlebek added. "Lightbourne said, `Why are they picking on me?'.'' He added Lightbourne asked if he was a suspect because Police had seen him in the area.

Lightbourne was arrested by Insp. Eustace Farley after he was told that he was a suspect because he had not told Police he was on Boaz Island in his statement.

Under questioning by Lightbourne's lawyer, Elizabeth Christopher, Sgt. Chlebek said conducting an interview at 3 a.m. was not unusual and that Lightbourne did not appear tired.

Sgt. Chlebek also denied hearing Lightbourne being told that he would spend Christmas in the station if he did not cooperate with Police.

The trial continues this morning before Chief Justice Austin Ward. Prosecutor Patrick Doherty appears for the Crown and Ms Christopher represents Lightbourne.