consolidated fund thanks largely to the efforts of Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp.

Seven people charged with various liquor offences paraded before Magistrates' Court and on top of losing healthy chunks of cash, some walked out of court facing without licences.

American sailor James Steel was charged with piloting a boat while under the influence of alcohol.

Court was told Steel and his brother were involved in a September 14 incident in St. George's Harbour when their 12-foot inflatable jet-driven boat struck a 22-foot wooden cabin cruiser.

Steel was thrown from the boat in the accident and was initially presumed drowned. He was found standing at the dock of Dowling's Marine a short time later.

When Police questioned him they noted his speech was slurred and his eyes appeared glazed. Steel admitted to being the operator of the boat and to drinking.

He volunteered a breath sample, blowing 275 millilitres of alcohol in 100 milligrams of blood -- more than three times the legal limit.

Defence counsel Duncan Hall told Ms Mapp his client had recently sailed to the Island from the Azores en route to his home in New York City. Mr. Hall stressed Steel had paid $7,000 restititution to the owners of the cabin cruiser for damages, as well as incurring $2,500 in uninsured medical expenses.

With repairs to his craft as well, Steel had already learned a $12,000 lesson, Mr. Hall told the court.

"But for all that the $12,000 would mean, it would mean nothing at all if someone had lost their life,'' said Mrs. Mapp.

"It's just stupid. I know people do it all the time but your experience goes to underscore the dangers of drinking while operating a boat or any other vehicle,'' she said before slapping Steel with a $500 fine.

Twenty-eight year old Sean Allen of Pembroke Parish followed, pleading guilty to driving while impaired and giving a false name to Police.

Prosector Insp. Kendrick James told the court that officers were called to Parson's Road, Pembroke, where they found a Hyundai car blocking the road.

Two men seen leaving the scene were questioned and gave Police false names.

Sean Allen, who identified himself as a man named Thomas, also refused to provide a breath sample.

"You're one of about seven this morning so just let me get my two-second piece in so everybody here can hear it,'' said Mrs. Mapp. "Drinking and driving don't mix. I could just as easily be presiding over your inquest.'' She banned Allen from driving for 12 months and fined him $400 for the drinking offence and $100 for the misleading statement.

A 25-year-old Hamilton Parish man learned two convictions for drunk driving within two years adds up to three years on foot, as well as a $600 fine.

Montgomery Hamill pleaded guilty to driving while impaired less than two months after having regained his licence following a similar offence last year.

He was stopped on October 14 while driving erratically along North Shore Road.

Hamill said he was, yesterday, to attend his first alcohol counselling session.

Mrs. Mapp banned him from driving for three years and fined him $600.

In other cases: Nathan Stone, 25, of Southampton was fined $400 and banned from driving for a year. He tested 172 on the breathalyser after crashing his scooter on September 26.

"It's interesting that all these charges of impaired driving are as a result of accidents,'' said Ms Mapp.

Earl Charles Waldron, 34, also of Southampton, was fined more than $2,000 as well as a lengthy driving ban.

The heavy equipment operator admitted driving while impaired, driving while disqualified, driving an unlicenced bike, and driving with no insurance. He was also banned from driving for three years.

"Refresh my memory, Mr. Waldron. Are you not the person I just sentenced for driving a truck while disqualified?'' "Yes,'' replied Waldron, "but I don't drink no more.'' "You're really putting your liberty at risk,'' replied Ms Mapp.

Waldron was given six months prison for each driving while disqualified offence, suspended for the next two years.