prison sentence for committing his second drug offence this year.

Appearing in Magistrates' Court yesterday Eugene Ascento, 24, of Devon Springs Road, pleaded guilty to possessing 22.4 grams of cannabis and cigarette papers.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Donald Grant told the court Ascento was approached by Police officers as he was entering his house on April 4.

The officers noticed that Ascento had a plastic bag containing plant material and cigarette papers in his hand, Sgt. Grant said.

It appeared that Ascento was attempting to make a homemade cigarette.

Ascento was taken to Hamilton Police Station where it was discovered that the plant material was 21.5 grams of cannabis and there was .91 grams of cannabis in a cigarette paper.

But Ascento's lawyer Philip Perinchief told Acting Senior Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp that this was a "matter of a lecture, not imprisonment''.

Mr. Perinchief also noted that Ascento was not selling or distributing drugs.

But Mrs. Mapp said Ascento needed more than a lecture in light of his previous drug offence that occurred in January.

GUILTY PLEA IN ASSAULT CASE CTS Guilty plea in assault case Beating a man up for refusing him a hand-out landed a 28-year-old Warwick man in Magistrates' Court this week.

Heman Viera, 28, of Khyber Heights -- who was on probation for an unrelated matter -- pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette said Viera was asked to leave the Ex-Artillery Men's Club on July 26.

Once outside Viera asked another club patron for some money and was turned down, Sgt. Mouchette reported.

Viera then followed the man to Court Street and knocked him down, leaving the man with a deep cut on the forehead.

Acting Senior Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp said she needed time to review Viera's case and remanded him in custody until August 22 for mention.

YEAR OFF ROAD FOR WARWICK MAN CTS Year off road for Warwick man Taking a friend home after having a few drinks yesterday cost a Warwick man $400 and a year off the road.

Stanford Hughes, 33, of Perman's Hill, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to driving while impaired.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Donald Grant said Police stopped Hughes at The Lane in Paget around 1.45 a.m. on July 20 after they observed him driving at high speeds.

Hughes' lawyer Juliana Jack said Hughes had been doing some masonry work at home and had had about three beers throughout the evening before he took his friend home.

Ms Jack said Hughes was a family man and had no similar previous convictions.

GUILTY PLEA PROVES COSTLY CTS Guilty plea proves costly Possessing less than five grams of cannabis left a 33-year-old Pembroke man $900 poorer yesterday.

William Benjamin, of St. Augustine Road, who was imprisoned for four-and-a half years for another drug offence, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to possessing 4.36 grams of cannabis.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Donald Grant said Police stopped Benjamin under the Misuse of Drugs Act on April 27 as he was leaving Kings Court in Pembroke on a motorcycle.

They found a bag containing plant material under the seat.

Benjamin told Police the cannabis was for his own use.

SOCIAL INQUIRY REPORT ORDERED CTS Social inquiry report ordered A social inquiry report was ordered on Monday for a Bermuda Regiment soldier who neglected his military duties.

Joeshon Hinson Russell, 21, of Pembroke Park Lane, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to missing regiment exercises on 16 occasions between February 16 and June 20, being absent without leave from an overseas camp on March 2, and not returning $720 which was given to him to prepare for the camp.