"effectively stateless'' and faces deportation from the Island.

But Senior Magistrate Will Francis released Patrick Junior Edwards on bail on condition that he report to Immigration inspectors until January when he will be sentenced.

Jamaican birth certificates for Edward's parents will be sought.

Edwards might be deported, but according to a lawyer he is willing to pay for his own ticket from Bermuda.

Police prosecutor Phil Taylor told Mr. Francis: "He does have a British Dependent Territory Citizenship passport issued in 1970.'' "He is British but he is stateless,'' Sgt Taylor continued. "He is not the holder of Bermudian Status.'' He added: "The problem your Worship, is that he appears to be somewhat stateless. He was born here, but he is not registered as a Jamaican.'' Edwards, 28, of the Canadian Hotel, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to overstaying in the Island while a visitor without the permission of the Immigration Minister.

He also admitted to working without permission of authorities.

When Edwards pleaded, he said: "I didn't know. But guilty.'' Mr. Francis heard that Edwards was born in Bermuda but was taken by his parents to Jamaica as a young child and only returned to the Island in December 1996.

Sgt. Taylor said Edwards began working at a barber shop on Court Street and later for Eve's Cycles, while doing occasional odd jobs.

He was interviewed by Police and Immigration Dept. Inspectors on November 24 at St. George's Police Station.

Sgt. Taylor said Edwards was shown a letter of December 1997 from the Immigration Dept. telling him he does not have Bermudian Status.

Edwards told authorities he had not received the letter which Sgt. Taylor said was borne out by the fact it had returned to the Department twice.

Sgt. Taylor said Immigration authorities did not believe Edwards to be "malicious'' and the Police had a letter from the Department's director Martin Brewer which suggested Edwards could be placed on bail.

Sgt. Taylor added: "He is not malicious in any way. He is just a victim of circumstance.'' And Duty Counsel Paul Harshaw suggested that a deportation order not be made because Edwards had told him he was prepared to pay his own way.

Mr. Harshaw interrupted Mr. Francis when he was writing that the order be made and said: "I don't think that is necessary. He is quite prepared to pay for his own ticket.'' Mr. Francis set Edward's bail at $500 with the condition that he report to Immigration authorities on Monday's and Friday's before 11 a.m. Deportation was not ordered yesterday.

Edwards -- who sat emotionless in the dock throughout the hearing -- was ordered to return for sentencing on January 14.

IMMIGRATION IMM