Murder accused in court on unrelated charge

One of the two men charged with the murder of homeless man Maxwell Brangman appeared in court yesterday on an unrelated matter.

Roger Lightbourne, 40, of Tommy Fox Road, St. David's, denied two counts of violently resisting arrest on July 22 and admitted one count of wilfully obstructing a Police officer on the same date.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner set a trial date for February 19 and Lightbourne was remanded in custody.

He is due back in court regarding the alleged murder of Mr. Brangman on October 23, along with 18-year-old Darronte Dill who is accused of murdering Mr. Brangman and his friend Freddie Gilbert.

The bodies of the two homeless men were found near the Black Horse Tavern in St. David's last month.

Police Service celebrates 129 years

The Bermuda Police Service is to hold a series of events highlighting its past and present commitment to the local community.

Members of the public are invited to take part in the week of planned celebrations which will include displays by specialist units and open houses at various Police stations.

Primary and middle school students have also been invited to write an essay outlining why they'd like to serve as Police Commissioner for a day — eight winners will have the opportunity to shadow the eight highest-ranking members of the Service as they go about their daily duties. Essays should be e-mailed to pmr@bps.bm by Monday.

The events are scheduled between October 26 and November 1 and are in conjunction with celebrations highlighting 129 years of Police service in Bermuda.

Man denies burglary charge

A 38-year-old man has denied burgling a home in Cherry Hill Park, Paget, and wounding the householder.

Paul Lemar Smith, of West Avenue, Southampton, is alleged to have broken into the property on October 3 and attacked Andrew Warren Sr., 55.

Smith appeared at Magistrates' Court yesterday with injuries to his face and entered not guilty pleas to entering the property with intent to steal and unlawfully wounding Mr. Warren.

It was reported earlier this month that Mr. Warren fought with an intruder to his home and that the burglar ended up in the intensive care unit of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The case was adjourned until October 28 for mention and Smith was remanded in custody.

Stiff fines for assaulting Police officer

A 50-year-old Pembroke man was fined $1,600 yesterday for assaulting a Police officer and swearing at him.

Frederick Smith, of Border Lane East, admitted using offensive words, unlawfully assaulting Police officer Christopher Clark and using threatening words.

Crown counsel Brett Webber told Magistrates' Court that the officer recognised Smith while dealing with two other men involved in an unrelated matter outside Blue Water Anglers' Club, on Crow Lane, in the early hours of Saturday.

He told Smith he believed there was a warrant out for his arrest and asked for his name. Smith identified himself as Michael Smith and gave a false date of birth.

Mr. Webber said Smith swore at the officer before pushing him in the chest.

Smith, a mechanic, was taken to Hamilton Police Station, where he told an officer: "I'm going to get you," before falling onto a water machine and injuring himself.

He appeared in court wearing a sling and with a bandaged head, telling Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner: "I dislocated my shoulder and split my head open."

The court heard there were four warrants for his arrest relating to motoring offences, for which he will be tried at a later date.

Mr. Warner fined him $600 for swearing and using threatening words and $1,000 for assaulting the officer. He was bailed in the sum of $300.