The jury in the trial of Wayne Smith, who is accused of robbery, yesterday heard how he followed a Canadian couple to their guest house and waited for them to settle in before breaking into their room.

Smith, 30, of no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to armed robbery on September 6, last year.

However, he pleaded guilty to one charge of burglary at a different address on the same day and another charge of burglary on September 8, 1994.

In a Police statement read by Det. Con. Trent Lightbourne, Smith said on the night of September 6, last year just after midnight, he was parked on his motorcycle at the junction of Middle Road and Barnes Valley which leads to Barnsdale guest apartments in Paget.

"I was getting shelter from the rain when I saw the couple, who I knew were tourists because of their rented bike, come past me. They were going towards the guest house,'' Smith told Police.

He added: "I followed them and parked my bike on the side and watched them outside their apartment.

"Before I went into their apartment I pulled the screen door off another apartment and went inside. It was vacant and I left through the door. I did the same thing to another apartment and took some chips and a package of cookies and again I left through the door.'' Smith told Police that he placed the food in the basket of his bike and then went to the Showalters' apartment, pulled the screen door off and removed the glass door to get inside.

"I saw the couple lying in bed and the wife screamed. I told her to shut up and then told them to go into the bathroom. I searched the camera bag and found the rings.'' When asked by Police what he was carrying at the time Smith said he had a regular 12-inch butcher knife.

"I took the knife out when I entered the room just to let the couple know that I had a weapon so they wouldn't do anything stupid.'' However, Smith added that he had no intention of hurting them. He also said he told the Showalters that a man was outside with a gun so "they wouldn't give me any trouble.'' Smith also said he took the couple's wedding rings and "sold them to some guy on the block (Court Street) for $150. I spent the money of food, drinks and drugs.'' When asked by Police if it was his intention to rob tourists that night Smith replied: "Ya, at the time.'' While being cross-examined by defence lawyer Mr. Archie Warner, Det. Sgt.

Lightbourne said he was made aware that other apartments on the property had been entered after interviewing Smith.

Earlier this week Daniel and Catherine Showalter told how they returned to their apartment after celebrating Mrs. Showalter's birthday and were getting ready for bed when they heard two loud bangs.

Mrs. Showalter said her husband went to inspect where the noise came from and noticed a bulge in the curtain covering the sliding glass door. When he called out a man holding a knife in the air appeared.

"I was extremely frightened when the intruder came and I only remember that he was black and had a T-Shirt on,'' Mrs. Showalter said.

She added that the defendant demanded to know where their cash was and then ordered her husband into the bathroom.'' The couple later discovered that their gold and diamond engagement and wedding rings, worth $4,800 Canadian dollars, and a college signet ring, worth $200 Canadian dollars were missing.

Mr. and Mrs. Showalter both stated that they were not sure of the identity of the man who broke into their room.

The trial continues today before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Meerabux and Crown Counsels Ms Charlene Scott and Mr. Melvin Douglas.