A New Jersey man was remanded in custody yesterday after staying on the Island almost two months longer than permitted.

Troy Collier, 44, pleaded guilty to remaining in Bermuda past April 25, but denied that he unlawfully worked on the Island during that time.

He told Magistrates' Court that he was staying with his niece and her Bermudian husband, Robert Simmons, and was under the impression he could stay for up to six months.

Simmons, of Valley Road, in Paget, is also facing charges that he employed Collier contrary to the Bermuda Immigration Act and for harbouring an illegal immigrant since April 25.

Simmons, who denied the first charge, but pleaded guilty to the second, told the Court it was "an honest mistake" and said he brought Collier to his work site to show him some new construction equipment.

Both Simmons and Collier will face trial on July 8, and while Simmons was released on bail of $5,000 with one surety, Collier was remanded in Police custody until then.