Two Bermudians students yesterday walked free after charges of carjacking and armed robbery were dismissed by a judge in Georgia.

Wolde Place, 19, and Austin Simons, 20, together with co-accused Neal Daniel of the US Virgin Islands, had the case against them dismissed at Fulton Country Court, Atlanta.

Judge Craig Schwall threw the case out after the prosecutor failed to appear.

The two Bermudians and co-accused Neal Daniel, of the US Virgin Islands, had been held in custody for six weeks following their alleged gunpoint robbery of a student at a set of traffic lights near Georgia Institute of Technology. If convicted, Mr. Place would have faced a jail sentence of ten years -- without parole.

Last night, Mr. Place's mother, Christine, who lives in Pembroke, said she was delighted that her son's ordeal was over. She said: "Any parent, I'm sure, would know what we have been going through. But he has been exonerated and that's all we wanted.'' Mrs. Place added her son was "fine, he's wonderful -- he's been strong throughout this whole ordeal.'' And she added the former schoolboy soccer star and International Business Educational Award winner was looking forward to getting back to his studies at the Atlanta Metro College.

Mrs. Place said: "Hopefully he will just go back to school and get on with his life.'' Father Albert added that his son was not likely to publicly discuss his court ordeal for some time.

But he said: "We're delighted this thing has come to a close -- we're rejoicing. I haven't spoken to him directly -- but I'd imagine he's over the moon. It's caused us tremendous expense, but it's a tremendous relief.'' Mr. Place had faced charges of armed robbery, carjacking and aggravated assault. He also faced allegations of possession of a firearm in commission of a robbery, pointing a gun at another and possession of marijuana.

Mr. Simons was accused of armed robbery, carjacking and possession of marijuana and Daniel also faced charges in connection with the incident.

Relatives of Mr. Simons, originally from Pembroke, could not be contacted for comment last night.

Atlanta student Fraanje Vandiver was forced from his car at gunpoint, ordered to lie on the ground and had his wallet and keys stolen.

When Mr. Vandiver ran off, shots were fired at him, although he was unhurt. A local resident who heard the shots called the police.

The two Bermudians and their friend were arrested by Georgia Institute of Technology Police near the scene.

BERMUDIAN BDA