was sentenced in the Supreme Court yesterday to five years in prison.

Michael Anthony Ross, a former salesman at a True Value Hardware store in New York City, was charged with importing the 19.45 grams of diamorphine after arriving at the Civil Air Terminal on July 21.

Standing in the prisoner's dock with the aid of a walker -- Ross was said by defence attorney Mr. Tim Marshall to have been injured in a car accident two years ago -- the defendant remained expressionless as his sentence was being read out.

Earlier Ross, a married father of three, had apologised "to the people of Bermuda as well as my family'' for his part in the smuggling.

In handing down the sentence, Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ground said he took into account the defendant's guilty plea, his co-operation with Police and "to a minor degree'' his medical condition.

The nine months that Ross has already spent in jail is to be deducted from the five-year sentence.

Crown Counsel Mr. Philip Storr had earlier suggested a sentence of seven to eight years.

MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER IN COURT CTS Man accused of murder in court One of the men accused of murdering Reginald Chesterfield Wilson will return to court on May 15 for a preliminary hearing.

Jamel Tito Smith, who was remanded in custody after being charged last month, appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Smith's lawyer, Mr. Mark Pettingill, requested a long form preliminary inquiry.

The inquiry is expected to last two days.

Smith, along with Sean Charles Smith, was charged with the murder of Wilson whose body was found in the waters off the North Shore in February of last year.

Jamel Smith was not required to enter a plea last month.

Sean Smith denied the charge at a Supreme Court arraignment.

A third man who was accused of the murder, Damion Wayne Smith, was set free after a preliminary hearing found there wasn't enough evidence for him to stand trial.

POLICE INVESTIGATE ATTACKS ON WOMEN CRM Police investigate attacks on women Police are investigating two attacks on women.

A 35-year-old Pembroke man attacked a female acquaintance at her workplace last Thursday.

Police, who gave no further details about the attack, said the 40-year-old St.

George's woman received minor injuries to her head.

They also reported that a 21-year-old Warwick woman was attacked and "seriously'' injured by a 22-year-old Sandys man.

The incident occurred at a social function in Sandys during the early hours of last Sunday morning.