Senior couple robbed in their driveway

A robber punched a 66-year-old man in the face after the senior refused to hand over cash in the driveway of his Southampton home.

Police say the offender brandished a weapon when he approached the Rose Hill Road resident and his 66-year-old wife just before 10 p.m. on Saturday.

When the victim refused to give cash, the assailant struck him, cutting his face, before grabbing a black bag containing a DVD and personal items from the back seat of their car, and escaping.

Officers later chased a man on a motorcycle which may have been the offender. He abandoned the bike in the Granaway Heights Road area and successfully ran away from his pursuers. The vehicle was impounded. The victim declined medical treatment. His wife was not injured. The suspect is described as black, of medium complexion and about 5ft 6in. He was wearing dark clothes and a knitted hat.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call the Somerset Criminal Investigation Unit on 234-1010.

Judge to settle Police pension dispute

A Supreme Court judge is to decide whether a Police officers' allowance should contribute towards their pension.

Representatives from Government, the Bermuda Police Association and Permanent Police Tribunal met with Justice Ian Kawaley last week to determine the Combined Allowance issue of the Police pay award.

Government is contesting this part of the Arbitration Award, which was set out by the Permanent Police Tribunal last June.

The Award concluded a three-year battle for a pay rise by Police but Government said the Tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction on this issue, and that it would seek judicial review.

Justice Kawaley is expected to reach a decision this week. Alan Dunch, the BPA's lawyer, said: "We appeared in front of Mr. Justice Kawaley last Monday in a hearing of the judicial review of the element of the Tribunal award on the Combined Allowance issue. The judge reserved his decision."

The BPA, which has about 400 members, wants the Combined Allowance to be treated as part of an officer's salary so the ten percent becomes part of their pension. The Permanent Police Tribunal agreed that it should be treated as such.

Liquor licence sought for pharmacy

Phoenix Stores is applying for a liquor licence at its Dockyard pharmacy. The move comes about a year after the company started selling alcohol at its flagship shop in Hamilton, earning criticism from the New Testament Church of God.

CEO George Grundmuller said at that time the decision was to improve convenience for customers to allow them to pick up beer and wine when they collect other goods from Phoenix Stores.

A hearing will take place at Magistrates' Court at 9.15 a.m. on March 10. Anyone living in Sandys, or the owners of properties within 300 yards of the Dockyard shop, may object if they wish.

A separate hearing will take place on the same day at the same time for the transfer of a restaurant licence at the Dining Room, St. Anne's Road, Southampton.

Expert to speak on anti-drug programmes tonight

A drug prevention expert will be the guest speaker in a Government presentation at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium tonight.

Fred Dyer, a trainer, author and consultant knowledgeable in such areas as substance abuse, family and adolescent issues, abuse prevention programmes and child and adolescent residential facilities, will speak on, 'The Motivation for Substance Abuse for Youth and Alternative Motivations'.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation and the Department for National Drug Control in conjunction with CedarBridge Academy, begins at 6.30 p.m.

For further information telephone the Department of National Drug Control on 292-3049.