guilty to driving while under the influence of drink.

Michael Butler, 47, of Secretary Lane, was also fined $400 for the offence and had to pay an additional $700 because the vehicle, a Nissan motorcar, was not insured or licensed.

In Magistrates' Court on Friday, prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor told the court how Butler was stopped by officers in the early hours of October 15 after they had carried out a vehicle check.

"The officers were aware that the defendant's car was uninsured and unlicensed,'' Sgt. Taylor said.

After being arrested Butler refused to give a sample of breath.

Before being sentenced, Butler told Senior Magistrate Will Francis he was sorry for the offence.

"I realise that this is very serious and it's the first and last time I shall do it,'' he said.

MAN DENIES DRUNK DRIVING CHARGE CTS Man denies drunk driving charge A Smith's Parish man appeared at Magistrates' Court last week charged with a string of motoring offences.

Henry Santucci, 37, of Spanish View Lane, pleaded not guilty to driving while impaired through alcohol, failing to give a breath sample, failing to stop after an accident, failing to give his name and address to a Police officer and failing to stop immediately when signalled to do so.

The case was adjourned for trial on January 21.

HOUSEPAINTER FINED $200 FOR CANNABIS CTS Housepainter fined $200 for cannabis A painter and decorator from Smith's Parish was fined $200 after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis.

Kevin Fairbairn, 37, of Valley View Lane, was stopped by Police on August 18 on Middle Road.

He was taken in a Police vehicle to Hamilton Police Station in connection with another matter and, when he stepped out of the vehicle, officers noticed a plastic bag fall from his lap.

The contents of the bag were later analysed and found to be 0.67 grams of cannabis.

Before being sentenced, Fairbairn, who has a previous conviction for possession, told Senior Magistrate Will Francis: "I would like to apologise to the court and I have stopped using the drug.'' WOMAN STOLE TO BUY MEDICINE FOR CHILD CTS Woman stole to buy medicine for child A Warwick woman will be sentenced next year for defrauding $35.90 from her former employer to buy medicine for her child.

Tracey Ludwig, 32, of Privateer Lane, pleaded guilty to creating a false merchandise cash refund receipt twice on September 30 and using the false document to obtain $17.95 in cash each time.

Prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Ludwig was a cashier at Masters between April and October. She was confronted by Police on October 1.

Ludwig admitted taking the money to buy her daughter's medicine, juice and toothpaste.

Mr. Francis adjourned the matter until January 7 for a social inquiry report.

Ludwig was released on $500 bail.

OBSTRUCTION DENIED CTS Obstruction denied A 19-year-old man faces a trial next year after pleading not guilty to obstructing a Police officer and riding a motorcycle in a dangerous manner.

Anthony Smith, of East Gate Lane, Pembroke, also pleaded guilty to stealing a cycle worth more than $3,000, stealing cycle parts worth more than $80, failing to stop for Police and riding a motorcycle without insurance.

All the matters will be dealt with together when he returns to Magistrates' Court on March 30.