A police spokesperson said, “Around 12:45am on Saturday, May 19th police attended a reported robbery in the Benny’s Bay Road, Sandys parish area.

“It appears that two unknown men brandishing bladed articles accosted a 52 year old Sandys parish woman and a 23 year old Sandys parish man.

“The suspects took a wallet containing personal items as well as a BlackBerry cellular phone. No one was injured during the incident; however prior to fleeing on foot, the suspects also damaged the 52 year old woman’s car.

“The suspects are described as 6′ tall wearing a grey hooded top with dark coloured jeans and 5’5″ tall wearing a black jacket with dark coloured jeans. An area search was conducted for the offenders, but they were not located.

“Inquiries are ongoing and anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the Benny’s Bay Road area between midnight and 12:45am Saturday is encouraged to contact the Somerset Criminal Investigation Unit on 234-1010.”

A police spokesperson said, “As a result of specific information, officers from the Public Protection Department executed a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at a residence in the Spanish Point, Pembroke area during the evening of Friday, May 18th. Two men and two women were arrested and a quantity of suspected controlled drug seized. Inquiries are ongoing.”

Although police did not confirm the exact location, police officers could be seen in high numbers at one of the properties in the area opposite Soares Store on Friday evening, with officers stationed at the front and back of the property, as well as two marked police vehicles parked on the property.

“They approached the driver, a 29 year old Warwick man who appeared to be intoxicated. He was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving and detained in police custody as a result. A court appearance is anticipated in due course.”

A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service would like to once again advise the public to be vigilant when considering purchasing items advertised on local re-sale websites. In particular, if the item is being sold at a significantly reduced price and the seller requests money for the item in advance.

“A recent example being advertised was a new Segway for sale at half its retail value. The public is reminded that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Suspected internet scams can be reported to the Financial Crime Unit by emailing fraud2@bps.bm.”

In addition, the spokesperson advised the general public, especially senior citizens, to be “wary of unknown persons offering to carry out basic home repairs such as roof cleaning or painting and requesting money up front.

“Homeowners are reminded to remain vigilant regarding unknown individuals requesting money prior to work being started. Anyone who may have any concerns or queries regarding similar circumstances is encouraged to contact the main police number on 295-0011.”

The break-in occurred at Mr Butler’s Angle Street home sometime from 8am to 11am, while his two stepsons were home sleeping.

Mr Butler said, “Nobody is immune from a break-in. While my house is basically secure it is not a prison or fort. It is a basic home with basic locks. I feel fortunate to have been avoided all of these years.

“The first break-in ever of our household came with two children still asleep and a hunt for money. I will replace the money raised at a bake sale for the Giant Steps Band. That part is easy. But trying to forget the violation of our privacy is a lasting memory keeping us awake and ever vigilant.

“It is most unfortunate that all of our collective work to develop a good society sometimes goes to nought with activities like this. But thank God it does not happen everyday and most of us are good people respecting and following our laws,” concluded Mr Butler.

A police spokesperson said, “Inquiries are ongoing into a reported burglary that occurred at an Angle Street, Pembroke residence on Monday, May 14th 2012.

“Detectives are interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the Angle Street area between 8:50am and 11am that day.

“Any witnesses or anyone with any information is encouraged to contact Detective Constable Seymour Foote at the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295-0011.”

According to the Crown Prosecutor, at 1:52pm on Wednesday 16th May, a Bermuda Customs K-9 search team had found the illegal drug in a cabin after the dog had alerted them.

The cabin, locked and empty at the time, was opened by ship’s staff and a Bermuda Custom’s search turned up the drugs. The search discovered a pouch containing rolled cigarettes as well as a clear plastic bag containing loose plant material.

Later that afternoon, Mr Cruz was identified to Police and Customs personnel. He admitted that the drugs were his, and he was escorted off the ship to Somerset Police Station.

In Court this morning, Mr Cruz told Senior Magistrate Archie Warner that: “I know I wasn’t supposed to have the drugs.” He explained that he was having several serious family issues and felt he needed to relax. He said: “It’s been tough.”

The Senior Magistrate fined him $800 and ordered that the fine be paid forthwith.

This was alleged to have happened on 1st May 2012, and the Prosecutor said that Police had apprehended Daeshon Warner on 15th May. Warner pleaded not guilty.

The Senior Magistrate ordered that Warner must re-appear for Mention on 30th May 2012 and ordered him kept in custody at the COED facility until that date.

Daeshon Warner’s mother was present in Court and he was not defended by legal counsel.

This was the sentence handed out by Senior Magistrate Archie Warner this morning [May 16] after he had read and reviewed a psychiatric report on Williams. The pre-sentencing report had been requested at Williams earlier hearing when Williams had pleaded guilty to smashing the ATM which was at White’s Supermarket in Warwick.

Commenting from the report, the Magistrate said that the report confirmed that Williams had a mental disorder, and that several times, Williams had been in and out of MAWI for treatment.

The report’s diagnosis was that Williams had a cocaine induced psychosis and was schizophrenic. Continuing, the Magistrate said that the report indicated that Williams’ condition could be managed by using appropriate medication but that Williams refused to regularly take prescribed and available medication.

The Magistrate told Williams: “If you medicate as ordered, you should be alright. You have been in Westgate for the past few days and you have been doing alright. You know you have a psychiatric problem but you refuse to accept help for it.”

The Magistrate then sentenced Williams to nine months in prison.  The Magistrate also made an order that Westgate  should give Williams all available mental health treatment and should enter him in programs while he was in custody.

The Regiment charter jet left Montego Bay’s Sangster Airport on Saturday 12th May, with the soldiers returning to Bermuda later that afternoon, and Pte Shabazz faced the local Magistrate on Monday 14th May.

The Regiment had been in Jamaica since 29th April and the end-of-exercise leave period saw the soldiers taking their short leave in the tourist area of Montego Bay.

Pte Shabazz was fined $9,000 Jamaican dollars — equivalent to approximately $103 Bermuda dollars — and will be personally responsible for any additional costs incurred by the method of his return to Bermuda.

Speaking last week, a Regiment spokesperson said: “In order to ensure the recovery of the equipment and baggage to Bermuda goes as safely as possible all personal items are thoroughly searched and examined. Setting the example, the senior officers are the first to have their bags checked – in full view of the Privates.

“The Regimental Sergeant Major Gavin Rayner then nominates certain personnel to become baggage checkers, including a member of the Bermuda Police Service detached to the Regiment for the duration of the Camp.

“The process is simple: every soldier empties everything out of their bergan onto the floor, the bag is checked, and then every item is cleared – one piece at a time.

“Once that is done, the bags are placed in a sealed and locked container which won’t be opened again until in the presence of Bermuda Customs and Police personnel including “sniffer” dogs.”

A police spokesperson said, “Around 12:45am on Tuesday May 15th, police responded to a report of a single vehicle collision in the area of Crow Lane in Pembroke involving a motorcycle.

“It appears that the motorcycle was travelling along Crow Lane when it collided with a sidewalk. On arrival, officers approached the rider, a 37 year old Pembroke man who appeared to be intoxicated. He was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving.

“He later failed the alco-analyser test and was detained in police custody as a result. There were no reported injuries. A court appearance is anticipated in due course.”

The Crown’s evidence was that Police had seen Ms Fray [pictured] riding in Hamilton on 22nd December 2011. At the time, Police observed that she was riding her auxiliary cycle and had an earphone in her ear.

Police had stopped her and subsequently ticketed her and charged her with the offence of using a hand-held device whilst operating a motor vehicle.

Ms Fray’s defence was that although she had an earphone in her ear, and admittedly, the earphone was connected to an electronic device that was in her jacket pocket, she was not using the device because it was not turned on and not transmitting any sounds or signals.

Ms Fray said that she had an iPhone and that this device needed to be set to play music through the MP3 app; and that this was not case. When stopped — and before being stopped — her iPhone was and had been inactive.

Ms Fray said that she was wearing a ‘Nolan’ helmet which is a full helmet that covers the ears as well. From this, the most that the Police officer could have seen was a wire leading up to the helmet. Ms Fray admitted that she did have one earphone in her right ear.

The Crown’s total and only evidence was that she had an earphone in her ear and that this earphone was connected to a hand-held device as described in the legislation.

Senior Magistrate Archie Warner challenged the Crown to provide evidence that the hand-held device was actually in use, with emphasis on the fact of use as opposed to merely being retained on the person. The Crown was unable to provide any other evidence of use by way of proof of transmission of electronic signals or otherwise.

Given Ms Fray’s assertion that the device was off and the Crown’s inability to counter her assertion or prove otherwise, the Senior Magistrate ruled against the Crown and dismissed the charge against the sixteen year-old.

Ms Fray’s is one of the first known successful challenges. In the past, a conviction has often carried a fine of $500. She originally came to Court on 31st January 2011 intending to plead “guilty with an explanation”. She says that by 31st January she had already completed her defence submission, all of which she had done on her own.

However, appearing in Plea Court on that day, and given her non-acceptance of guilt, she was advised to plead Not Guilty and go to trial. Throughout the proceedings, Ms Fray’s mother sat in the public gallery.

Ms Fray says that she has considered studying law but is currently leaning towards studying business.

The DPP Prosecutor told Senior Magistrate Archie Warner that around 1:25pm on Sunday 13th May, a Bermuda Customs canine in a ‘sniffer dog’ team had alerted to illegal drugs in cabin 8597 on board the ‘Norwegian Dawn’.

The cabin, unoccupied at the time, was entered and searched and white powder and wrapped plant material was found in a duffel bag and a case.

Later that day, on his return to the ship, Mr Gembarowski was approached by Customs and Police. Mr Gembarowski admitted that the items belonged to him. He was then taken off the ship to Somerset Police Station.

This morning, Gembarowski told Senior Magistrate Archie Warner that the drugs were: “For my personal use to party while I was on the cruise.” He also told the Magistrate: “The ship leaves tonight. I hope I can raise enough money to pay a fine and that I don’t have to miss the ship.”

Pointing out that he could always stay on in public accommodation and that he was fortunate that given the amount of drugs he had not been charged with importing with intent to supply, the Senior Magistrate fined Gembarowski $800 on the charge of possessing the cannabis and another $800 for possessing the Ecstasy powder. Both fines must be paid forthwith.

During the almost three month long trial, the Supreme Court jury heard the couple used extensive amounts of taxpayer dollars for various personal expenses, including building on their St George’s property.

Mr Burrows — an architect — used his Government position within the Ministry of Works and Engineering to steal money for his own purposes.

The couple were convicted of 34 of 35 charges last night after seven hours of deliberation. They were remanded into custody and will be sentenced next month.

A police spokesperson said, “Around 2:30am on Monday May 14th, police were on mobile patrol on Cavendish Road in Pembroke when they noticed a motorcycle that was travelling erratically. Officers stopped the vehicle and approached the rider, a 39 year old Paget man, who appeared to be intoxicated.

“Around 11:30pm on Friday May 11th, police were on mobile patrol along Reid Street in the City of Hamilton when they noticed a car travelling erratically along Reid Street. Officers pursued the vehicle and stopped it on Burnaby Street. Officers approached the driver, a 50 year old Pembroke man, who appeared to be intoxicated.”

In both cases the driver was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving, failed the alco-analyser test and was detained in police custody as a result.

The EMD had been part of the two year Probation Order that Wilson had received in February 2012 after being convicted in Magistrates Court.

The Magistrate was told that between 19 and 30 April 2012, Wilson’s EMD was inoperative and that Wilson’s whereabouts were not known.

The Magistrate was also told that between 28 February when the device was fitted to Wilson and 10 April, the EMD had signaled that Wilson had entered zones from which his Probation Order had excluded him.  Wilson had been warned and cautioned about this matter. On 19th April the EMD stopped transmitting altogether; and all indications were that the EMD was stationary.

Asked to explain, Wilson said that the EMD had been giving trouble and sending wrong signals; saying that he was in places where he was not. Wilson said that he had  been told that the EMD was working properly.

But Wilson said: “I thought it wasn’t working so I took it off.” Evidence was that Wilson had used a screwdriver to do that and had caused $25 worth of damage.

Magistrate Warner then revoked Wilson’s Probation Order and sentenced him to nine months in prison for the original offence for which he had been sentenced on 28th February.

The Magistrate then tacked on another thirty day sentence for causing the $25 worth of damage to the EMD, ruling that the 30 day sentence was to run consecutive to the nine month sentence.

Mr Washington faced the charge of unlawfully handling a .45 calibre cartridge on 8th January 2012 in Pembroke Parish. The case must be tried in the Supreme Court so he was not required to enter a plea, and he was remanded in custody.

A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service is aware of a video being circulated locally via BlackBerry and social media. The footage is believed to have originated overseas and apparently shows the physical abuse of a child by an adult.

“While there is no way to control the distribution of information through various technological means, we continue to discourage the dissemination of similar electronic messages by the public. Anyone with any information regarding incidents of abuse should contact the Vulnerable Persons Unit directly on 247-1678.”

While the police have not confirmed the video is the same one, a video showing child abuse went viral worldwide this week.

CNN reports that, “A video of a teenage Malaysian mother beating her baby daughter has generated a storm of outrage online a year after it was filmed, prompting the Malaysian Police to announce that the woman is already serving an 18-month prison sentence for the offense.

“The Malaysian Police said they had received hundreds of complaints and comments about the case after the four-minute video of the mother repeatedly striking the baby with her hand, her foot and a pillow went viral.

“The mother was 18 years old when she inflicted the beating on her 10-month-old child in May 2011, according to Arjunaidi Mohamed, the chief of police in Petaling Jaya, the suburb of Kuala Lumpur where the attack took place.”

The facts read out to the Senior Magistrate were that on 28th April, a manager at Price-Rite’s Mills Creek shop had seen Rudy Smith place something in the inside of the blue windbreaker that he was wearing at that time. The manager also noticed that at the same time, Smith had spoken into a cellphone.

The manager observed Smith as he moved towards a line of customers waiting at a cash register, then move past the line and the register and exit the store. Outside the store, the manager accosted Smith saying: “Wait a minute buddy…where are you going?”

Smith stopped and was asked to open his jacket. The manager saw the packet of socks and called Police. On arrival, Police took custody of Smith who admitted: “I know what I did was wrong.” Smith also admitted that he had money in his possession, and that he actually had enough money to pay for the socks.

Given the opportunity to explain himself, Smith told Senior Magistrate Archie Warner: “I am sorry for what I’ve done.” Noting that Smith had a series of prior convictions, the Senior Magistrate asked Smith if he had a job. Smith replied that he “cleaned schools.”

Magistrate Warner then fined Smith $500 and gave him until 11 June 2012 to pay the fine.

As a result, Richardson was fined $3,000 by Magistrate Tokunbo to be paid by June 29th 2012. He was also found guilty of an additional charge, perverting the course of justice, for giving a false name to police when he was arrested for the counterfeit currency offences.

A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service continues to advise businesses and their staff as well as the public to be vigilant regarding counterfeit currency. If counterfeit cash is detected during a transaction, staff receiving the fake money should hold on to it, note the description of the individual who tendered it and contact police immediately.

“The public is reminded that it is a criminal offence to pass to another, possess, make or reproduce any counterfeit currency and those caught doing so can expect to be prosecuted. Suspicious circumstances regarding counterfeit currency should be reported directly to the main police number 295-0011 or via the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.”

The drugs were allegedly found on 28th September 2011. Brangman pleaded not guilty. Senior Magistrate Archie Warner pointed out that the Prison Authorities had full powers to deal with matters such as this, and asked Prosecutor Geoffrey Byrne why the matter had been brought before the Magistrate.

Mr Byrne replied that drug use in prison was a prevalent offence and that the community and Prison Authorities needed to see that strong measures would be taken.

The Magistrate pointed out that on other matters, Brangman was already facing a long sentence and that his tacking on of another six months on to a 25 year sentence seemed to have little value.

Brangman has been convicted of shooting Nathan Darrell multiple times on February 13, 2010 in Sandys. In 2011, a Supreme Court jury found him guilty of attempted murder and using a firearm, and sentenced him to 25 years in jail.

The Magistrate also said that the practice of charging prisoners in this manner must be “… balanced against the cost, use of time, and security issues, especially when there are internal systems that can properly deal with matters.”

The matter was adjourned to 23rd May 2012 and the Magistrate asked the Prosecutor’s office to see if the matter could be dealt with differently.

The Probation Office had brought Muhammad back to Court because his great-grandmother, who had offered her home as his residence and who had promised to supervise him, had told Court Services that Muhammad was not cooperating, was disruptive, and that she and her family members could no longer keep him at her Sandy’s residence.

The Probation Office also told the Senior Magistrate that Court services had enrolled Muhammad in a class at a local technical training institute. However his attendance record showed that of 43 classes, he had been late for 18, had missed another 18, and had only fully attended at 9.

The Probation Officer recommended that Muhammad should now be placed in the care of his grandmother. However, the Senior Magistrate pointed out that Muhammad had been placed in the care of his great-grandmother because neither his grandmother nor his mother offered suitable or acceptable alternatives.

The Magistrate said that this situation highlighted Bermuda’s need for some kind of a facility, short of a prison, where young men could be placed and there receive remedial and corrective training. The Magistrate said that since the dismantling of the old Corrective Training regime, there were no options except prison.

Muhammad’s great-grandmother rose and told the Magistrate that she had been his only caregiver since he was a baby and that she had spent all she had and done all she could and that his mother had contributed nothing.

Saying “I’m going to do my job”, the Senior Magistrate went on: “He has refused to accept interventions that were designed to help him. The only way to help him now is to lock him up.” With that, the Magistrate passed sentence of nine months corrective training.

Hairston was one of the teenagers who was originally charged with the 2008 murder of 18 year old Kellon Hill, however the charges against him in that matter were dismissed.

The charge arose out a Police Stop-n-Search on 9th May when Hairston was stopped and searched at the junction of Olivebank Drive and Middle Road in Warwick.

Unrepresented, and given his opportunity to explain his action in carrying the silver “brass knuckles”, Hairston said: “I’d like to apologize for having the offensive weapon – like I said, it was for my own protection.”

Before passing sentence, Magistrate Archie Warner reviewed Hairston’s record and noted that he had been given a suspended prison sentence in November 2007 when he was just sixteen.

Replying to this, Hairston offered that: “Everywhere I go I am treated as a victim. Police see me as a threat. I am seen as a victim.” Hairston continued: “I’ve been on Probation for years and I haven’t been back to Court. I got acquitted of a murder case.”

From the public gallery, his mother rose, asked to speak, and then told the Senior Magistrate that: “He was on trial for murder but he was acquitted. Everywhere he goes people want to fight him. How is he to defend himself?”

The Senior Magistrate told Hairston and his mother that: “He cannot carry a weapon. It cannot be justified. It is not the Court’s fault that he has been found in this position.”

The Magistrate fined Hairston $1,000 for possession and then added $500 for the Increased Penalty Zone.

The appearance of Hairston in court this morning means that all four teenagers who had the charges dismissed against them in the Kellon Hill murder have been subsequently convicted of other crimes.

Kevin Andre Warner has been jailed for a minimum of 35 years after being convicted of the murder of Dekimo Martin, while Gary Hollis and Zharrin Simmons were convicted of fare dodging. In addition, Ms Simmons was also charged late last year with taking part in a knife robbery.

“Officers pursued the vehicle and stopped it near the junction with East Point Lane. Officers approached the rider, a 21 year old St. George’s man who appeared to be intoxicated.

“He was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving. He later failed the alco-analyser test and was detained in police custody as a result. A court appearance is anticipated in due course.”

The normal penalty for this offence carries a heavy fine and an automatic disqualification from driving all vehicles. Paul was fined $1,000 and given a modified disqualification.

Mr Paul said that he was working fulltime as a technician responsible for the installation and repair of appliances sold by Bermuda Gas & Utility Co Ltd, and that his normal employment required him to drive a company van.

Lawyer Kamal Williams was able to successfully argue that if Mr Paul was disqualified from driving all vehicles, he would suffer an undue hardship because he was likely to lose his job. He asked the presiding Magistrate, Senior Magistrate Archie Warner, to exercise discretion.

Magistrate Archie Warner took Mr William’s submission into consideration and ordered that Paul was to be disqualified from driving all vehicles for twelve months, with the exception that he could drive commercial vehicles in connection with his employment at Bermuda Gas and Utility Co.

This follows after a Prosecutor saying that there were no more Electronic Monitoring Devices [EMD] available as all were now in service.

Minister Wilson said, “The Offender monitoring programme was set up as a pilot programme in the last quarter of 2011. One of the objectives of the pilot phase of the project is to determine the effectiveness of the programme and the corresponding demand for monitoring devices.

“There was an estimated number of units required at the outset and due to the demonstrated effectiveness of the pilot to date, demand has taxed expectations as to the number of units the programme would require, although still within the parameters contracted for.

“The Courts has seen the benefit of utilizing these devices on several offenders on Court bail, in lieu of remand. Each client placed on the programme is based on its own merits, re-offence risks, and suitability for the programme. Not all offenders are suitable for the programme as the units are not guaranteed to prevent would-be offenders from re-offending.

“The Ministry of Justice has embraced the merits of this programme and are working to ensure and promote the programme’s success. Accordingly, given the responses to date, the vendor has been apprised of our current needs and additional units are expected on island at the end of this week,” concluded Minister Wilson.

“Notwithstanding this recent announcement, we remain concerned for the ongoing safety of Prison Officers on the front line of duty in the interim, as there is a time line between the review and future implementation of its recommendations,” said Mr Swan.

“Also, it is important to appreciate that the job of a Corrections Officer in modern day Bermuda has taken on a greater security risk as the proliferation of the gang culture has changed the mind set and demeanor of prisoners in recent years.”

Mr Swan’s statement follows after the news that Phil Wheatley, the former head of the U.K Prison Service, will review the Department of Corrections with the aim of producing a 5 year strategic plan. The announcement was made via a joint press release from Attorney-General Kim Wilson and Chairman of the Prison Officers Association Craig Clarke.

The full statement from the UBP is below:

Opposition party’s in Bermuda are often criticized for not offering solutions, it is a fair criticism, because many in the community consider that if you truly care for the country you are desirous of leading, you will offer your ideas and/or solutions up to make an immediate impact on our society.

Today we (UBP) are pleased to learn that the government have taken on board the first recommendation contained in the United Bermuda Party’s Reply to the Budget 2012/13 delivered by our spokesman for Finance Mr. Charlie Swan MP which reads as follows:-

” Mr. Speaker, ”

” We consider National Security as a non-partisan issue and support the need for a coalition of efforts between government, Private business, Community organizations, Churches of all denominations, Sporting clubs, the Media and Political parties working together to solve the problems created by the proliferation of a the gang culture….. ”

” Mr. Speaker,”

” We must express our deep concern for the safety of the correction officers on the front-line at our islands Prisons. ”

” Mr. Speaker,”

” With the tremendous shift in the social climate in Bermuda through the proliferation of the gang culture the Prisons in Bermuda most definitely have become more dangerous place to work and require a more careful security scrutiny. ”

” Mr. Speaker,”

” We in the United Bermuda Party support regular reviews of the social and psychological state of Bermuda’s correctional institutions. In addition, we feel that it is necessary for our prison officers to be kept abreast of modern methods used internationally and that the safety and welfare of the officers will always be a priority. ” (End Quote)

Notwithstanding this recent announcement, we remain concerned for the ongoing safety of Prison Officers on the front line of duty in the interim, as there is a time line between the review and future implementation of its recommendations.

Also, it is important to appreciate that the job of a Corrections Officer in modern day Bermuda has taken on a greater security risk as the proliferation of the gang culture has changed the mind set and demeanor of prisoners in recent years.

We respectfully consider this announcement a positive step and are pleased that the announcement was done jointly with the Prison Officers Association.

This matter arose as 41-year-old Jason Liburd of Pembroke pleaded not guilty to two charges. The first was that he had burglarized a Smith’s Parish residence in May 2012 stealing items valued over of $9,000; and the second was that he had received stolen goods valued at over $2,000.

The Prosecutor asked that Mr Liburd not be granted bail and cited the non-availability of ankle bracelets/EMD’s as one factor to be considered. The Senior Magistrate rejected defence lawyer Leopold Mill’s request for bail and ordered that he be remanded in custody until he appears for trial.

The EMDs came into use late last year, with the first defendant ordered to wear one on December 22, 2011.

ZBM reported that during the sentence hearing Mr Crockwell was described as “first time offender with good character who managed to maintain a clean lifestyle, notwithstanding the charge to which he was being sentenced.”

Mr Crockwell, who was defended by Elizabeth Christopher, apologized and said “nothing like this would happen again.” The 22-year-old served as a firefighter, but has been suspended for two years due to these charges.

The offences were alleged to have occurred between December 1st 2011 and April 14th 2012. The offences involved allegations of electronic approaches via texting and phone messages as well as an actual physical assault.

Senior Magistrate Archie Warner ruled in favour of defence lawyer Victoria Pearman’s submission that the defendant, who cannot be named, should be granted bail, although with conditions.

The Senior Magistrate ruled that the defendant must wear an ankle bracelet and is restricted to his stated residence for twenty-four hours in each day, every day.

Further, that he must not interfere, in any way, with the alleged victim or any witnesses. Bail was granted for $15,000 with one like Surety.

The man must return to Court on August 13th 2012 to face trial.

Robinson was separately charged with one count each of receiving stolen goods and with damaging Police property. He pleaded guilty to the receiving charge but not guilty to the damage charge.

The Prosecutor chose to drop the second charge of damaging Police property, proceeding only with Robinson’s second receiving charge, which was laid alongside the primary charge of stealing that faced both men.

The facts read out to Senior Magistrate Archie Warner were that on 1st April, bar staff at the Tucker’s Point Club had heard the sound of bottles ‘knocking together’ in the liquor storage area. On investigation, they saw that the liquor cage door was open and they heard the sound of persons moving in the immediate area but outside the building.

A bartender ran outside and saw two men on a motorcycle who were getting ready to leave. The bartender managed to grab the pillion passenger and tried to pull him off but couldn’t do so and the two men rode off. The bartender raced to his own bike and gave chase, but lost the two. Other Tucker’s Point staff called the Police and all gave descriptions.

A few minutes later, in the Devonshire area, patrolling police saw two persons fitting the descriptions getting off a scooter. They accosted them and saw that the scooter had a cardboard box on the foot platform. One man, it turned out to be the rider Robinson, ran off and got away. The other man, the pillion passenger Ming, was caught.

After questioning, Ming admitted participating and said that it was Robinson “who took the stuff.” The stuff was 15 bottles and a mix of whiskey, rum, and vodka. Police picked up Robinson later that same day.

Noting that both men were ‘known to the Court’, the Senior Magistrate asked each man if he had anything to say. Ming said that his last conviction was in 1999. He said: “I was just getting a lift. I just got caught up. I didn’t know what was taking place.”

Robinson was more voluble, saying: “I’d like to apologize. I got a call to go pick up the box from Tucker’s Point. I was talking to Mr Ming when I got the call. We both went to Tucker’s Point. When I got there I saw the box where they said it would be. I never went inside the place.”

When the Senior Magistrate expressed some incredulity at Robinson’s story, Robinson replied: “I’m not a thief. I’ve been out since October. You never give me a chance.”

The Senior Magistrate reminded Robinson of his past, pointing out that he had been convicted of offences in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, and 2005. The Magistrate reminded that these were convictions for theft as well as other offences.

Mr Robinson listened to that with his head bowed. He then raised his head and said to the Magistrate: “This is a system designed to oppress the black man.” The Magistrate said that Robinson was responsible for his own actions.

The Senior Magistrate then sentenced each man. Robinson received twelve months imprisonment, with the sentence commencing from 4th April, the day of his arrest. Ming got thirty days also commencing 4th April.