Crack pipe costs man $1,500

Police caught a man in possession of a crack pipe as he drove through an increased penalty zone.

Glen Richardson, 51, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs when he appeared at Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said officers stopped Richardson on September 6 during routine traffic checks at the junction of Bishop Spencer Road and Glebe Road, Pembroke, near the Creative Touch Nursery school.

"The defendant was driving in a southerly direction without his seatbelt fastened," said Ms Clarke. "Officers noticed a miniature glass bottle in the door of the car, which resembled a crack pipe."

She said Richardson told officers: "I smoke a little crack and I forgot it was there. Are you really going to arrest me for that?"

On Government analysis the pipe revealed traces of cocaine.

When he was charged Richardson told officers: "I have nothing to say."

The defendant yesterday denied he had told officers he smoked the drug. He told the court: "I said it looked like it had been used for crack. And when the officer came to the car, I handed it to him."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined him $1,500.

Burglars hit homes

Jewellery and cash were stolen from homes across the Island this week.

Cash was taken from homes on Rambling Lane, Pembroke and South Road, Paget.

Burglars broke into the Paget residence between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Police said.

The Pembroke residence was broken into between 7.45 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Both homes were unoccupied when the thefts took place.

A third theft occurred at a Claytown, Hamilton Parish residence on Wednesday.

"The complainant stated that sometime between 10.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. that day, an unknown culprit gained entry into the home while it was unoccupied," a Police spokesperson said. "The culprit stole an I-Touch and a quantity of jewellery."

Peugeot car stolen

A car was stolen from outside a Hermitage Road, Devonshire residence this week.

The car, a green Peugeot station wagon licence number 01317 was taken without its owner's consent between 10 p.m. on Tuesday night and 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact the Roads Policing Unit on 295-0011.