Derrick S. Astwood, of North Shore, Pembroke, was sentenced Friday in the Supreme Court after being found guilty in a Magistrates' Court of possessing an offensive weapon -- a knife -- and grievous bodily harm.

David Cox, of Glebe Road, Pembroke, was stabbed once in the stomach by Astwood on November 1.

The two men were on St. Monica's Road in Pembroke exchanging words, when Astwood stabbed Mr. Cox and then walked away.

Mr. Cox reportedly had to put his hands over his stomach to prevent his intestines from pouring out.

Crown Counsel Charlene Scott called the stabbing an unprovoked attack and said that if the victim had not received surgery, he might have died.

Ms Scott urged Puisne Judge Norma Wade not to hand down a sentence under three years.

But Astwood's lawyer Elizabeth Christopher maintained that her client was provoked.

"He (Mr. Cox) said he was going to `mash him up','' she said. "Friends of both men said that Cox was drunk and he said something that precipitated the events.'' Ms Christopher said the offence was committed without intent and suggested a prison sentence of two or three years.

Astwood told Mrs. Justice Wade he was sorry for his actions and claimed: "I just lost control of myself.'' Mrs. Justice Wade ordered Astwood to spend three years in prison.

JAIL FOR STEALING TOOLS WORTH $1,500 CTS Jail for stealing tools worth $1,500 An 18-month criminal escapade ended in a prison term for a 28-year-old man on Friday.

Neville James Woods, a former resident at the Salvation Army shelter, appeared in Magistrates' Court for stealing $1,500 worth of tools two years ago.

Police Prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Woods had pleaded guilty to the March 24, 1995 offence on May 12, 1995.

The tools were recovered from underneath Woods' bed at the Salvation Army, less $500 worth of tools.

A social inquiry report was to be presented on Woods on June 26, 1995.

But by that time, Woods had already fled to Jamaica.

Sgt. Taylor said Woods later left Jamaica for England, where he was jailed for 18 months for importing an unknown controlled substance.

After being deported back to Bermuda, Woods wandered free for about six months, Sgt. Taylor said.

But when he was arrested on other matters earlier this week, his previous offence was discovered.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis handed down a nine-month prison term.

POSSESSING WEED COSTS MAN $150 CTS Possessing weed costs man $150 A 20-year-old Hamilton Parish was ordered to pay $150 on Friday for having cannabis.

Kevin Eugene Carter, of Harlem Heights, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to the offence.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Police spotted Carter sitting in a chair outside his residence on February 7.

When Carter saw Police approaching, he stood up and pulled a yellow twist out of his pocket.

Sgt. Taylor said Carter then tried to throw the twist away, saying "It's the man''.

The twist was later discovered to contain .85 grams of cannabis. Carter had a previous offence for cannabis possession.

BRITSH VISITOR WITH `SPEED' IN COURT CTS British visitor with `speed' in court A 28-year-old British visitor was fined on Friday for possession of amphetamines, commonly known as speed.

Jennifer Dianne McMahon, of Whitley Village, Coventry, pleaded guilty to the charge in Magistrates' Court.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said McMahon arrived in the Airport around 10.50 p.m. on June 21.

Customs officials carried out a search, and a handbag in her luggage was found to contain a ziploc bag and a paper twist containing a white powder later determined to be amphetamines.

The ziploc contained .63 grams of the powder which was three percent pure, and the paper twist contained .35 grams of the powder which was two percent pure.

Mr. Taylor said the amphetamines found equaled about two doses.

When Senior Magistrate Will Francis asked McMahon if she had anything to say, she replied: "I didn't mean to bring it in. I take amphetamines at home, and I didn't realise that I had packed the purse that contained it''.

Mr. Francis asked her: "Aren't amphetamines a controlled drug in your country as well?'' McMahon nodded yes.

Mr. Francis ordered her to pay a $200 fine.

US VISITOR HAS A COSTLY HONEYMOON CTS US visitor has a costly honeymoon A New Jersey Board of Education guidance counsellor saw her honeymoon go up in smoke when she pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis.

Suzanne Collins, 45, a passenger on board the visiting cruise ship the Dreamward admitted to the offence in Magistrates' Court last week.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Collins was subjected to a routine search by Customs officers at 11.35 a.m. on Monday, June 23 and found to have three half-smoked homemade cigarettes, containing 3.36 grams of cannabis.

Collins was arrested and taken to St. George's Police Station where she was formally charged with the offence.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis ordered Collins to pay a $450 fine for the offence.

Mr. Francis also showed no mercy to another Dreamward passenger who claimed that he only had two years to live.

Jonas Milanes, 32, of Boston pleaded guilty to possessing .42 grams cannabis.

Milanes was subject to a Customs search on Tuesday June 24 at 11.45 p.m. in St. George's and found to have a paper twist in his wallet. The twist contained 0.42 grams of cannabis.

Sgt. Taylor said Milanes, who is on his honeymoon, told police upon being arrested that he only had two years to live and that he only had a ninth-grade education.

But when asked whether he had anything to say about the offence, Milanes did not elaborate on what he had told Police. He simply apologised.

Mr. Francis ordered him to pay $100 for the offence.

REPORT ORDERED FOR 17-YEAR-OLD CTS Report ordered for 17-year-old Senior Magistrate Will Francis last week ordered a social inquiry report on a 17-year-old who yesterday admitted receiving a stolen cycle.

Kevin D. Tucker, of Well Bottom Lane, Southampton, told Police he received the stolen cycle from two friends.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said the cycle in question, a purple and black Jog, was reported stolen by the owner from his house on Aurora Lane, Southampton on November 14, 1996.

Mr. Francis heard that during the time the bike was in Tucker's possession he hid it on the trail behind PHC in Warwick.

Mr. Francis adjourned the case until August 6, pending the social inquiry report.