Businessman and volunteer worker Colin Curtis pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in Magistrates' Court yesterday. The court heard how Curtis was stopped by Police on January 21 on Middle Road, Devonshire after his car was seen swerving across the yellow line.

Curtis, 74, of Orange Valley Road, Devonshire was represented by lawyer Justin Williams and pleaded guilty to the charge. Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves fined Curtis $1,000 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.

Woman sentenced to nine months

A woman who broke her probation order and failed to receive adequate treatment for her cocaine addiction was sentenced to nine months in jail in Magistrates' Court yesterday. Marissa Rattery, 42, who is currently serving time in jail for previous offences, was instructed to appear in court on September 26, 2003 but failed to show up.

The court heard how Rattery was suspected of using cocaine while she was in the Turning Point treatment programme.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves told Rattery that he was getting very tired of her antics. “I couldn't turn up because I was in hospital, I was very, very ill,” said Rattery.

She was sentenced to nine months in jail.

Rebello drove while disqualified

A man who drove several times despite having a disqualified license had his employer plead on his behalf in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard how Daniel Rebello, of Roberts Avenue, Devonshire, was suspended from driving all vehicles for one year from April 8, 2003 to August, 2004. So far, Police have caught him breaking the order three times between those dates.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves asked Rebello if he had anything to say, but his employer Lydia Mederios explained that Rebello did not fully understand the order and could not speak for himself because he did not speak any English.

“I bet he understands this one,” said Greaves. “You're going to jail for three months.”

Child kept out of school

A woman who failed to send her daughter to school because the family was going through difficult times received a harsh reprimand in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves told Carol Tucker, 34, of no fixed abode, that she was denying her daughter an education by failing to make sure she attended school.

Tucker told the court she was dismissed from her home and had to find somewhere else to live and could not send her daughter to school properly dressed since all her belongings were taken to the dump. Crown counsel Wayne Caines said education officers had visited Tucker's home to inform her that her daughter must attend school.

Her daughter, who is a student at Spice Valley Middle School, missed more than 80 days of the 125-day school year.

“You can't find something to put on the child to send her to school?” asked Mr. Greaves. “In Africa they attend school with no shoes on their feet and a beaded wrap around their waist.”

“We were going through difficult times,” replied Tucker.

“You cannot deny your daughter an education. What kind of job is she going to get if she can't attend school,” said Mr. Greaves.

He ordered a social inquiry report be conducted before sentencing Tucker. The fine for this offence under the 1996 Education Act is $50.

Jury chosen for trial

The jury was chosen in a trial which involves a car theft, stolen cash and damage to two washing machines.

Brian Carlton Rogers, 43, formerly of Wellington Hill, St. George's, pled not guilty to four charges in Supreme Court yesterday.

The charges all occurred in March of last year.

Rogers pleaded not guilty to stealing Belmida Hunt's car worth $8,000, between March 15 and 16.

He also pleaded not guilty to building breaking and causing $60 damaging to two washing machines on March 17.

The property and the washers belonged to Lynn and Quinton Burrows.

Crown counsel Juan Wolffe and lawyers Elizabeth Christopher spent yesterday morning in legal arguments, but the trial will get underway today before Assistant Justice Archibald Warner.

Attacked for no reason, man says

A 22-year-old man was sentenced to three months in prison in Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Shaki Allan Minors, of Fentons Drive, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to Trevor Richardson on April 7.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said the unprovoked incident happened at Tiffany's at the junction of Court and Elliott streets in Hamilton.

The court heard that after Minors hit his victim about five or six times he struck him in the head with his knee. Mr. Richardson told Police that Minors attacked him for no reason. Minors said the incident happened because he was under the influence of alcohol.

But Ms Clarke said Minors had also previously been convicted on four counts of violently resisting arrest and was currently on Supreme Court bail for a charge of attempted murder.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves told Minors he had to stop assaulting people.

“I am going to rest you for three months,” said Mr. Greaves.