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Four Policemen subdue angry suspect in Magistrates' Court

Four Policemen were needed to restrain a suspect when he angrily approached Magistrate Edward King yesterday after being remanded in custody.

Floyd Spence, 29, had pleaded not guilty to getting a taxi ride on false pretences after he failed to pay the $31 fare and to damaging a white van in Sandys Parish. The offenses occurred on Monday.

Spence, of no fixed abode, said the matter had arisen out of a domestic dispute and he begged the bench to bail him as he needed to sign cheques to help pay for the upkeep of his child.

But when Mr. King took no interest and remanded Spence in custody pending a trial tomorrow, Spencer stepped forward and started shouting.

Two Policeman tried to take him from the court as Spence shouted: "I am tired of this. I have had this all my life. My child can't get support if I can't sign my bank book because I'm not there.'' The two Policemen failed to subdue Spence and the three fell against the Press bench. Two other officers arrived and the struggle continued before they finally slapped the cuffs on and Spence was led away shouting; "I'll break you.'' Mr. King, who had earlier delayed yesterday's lengthy plea court session because there was no Policeman in court, said: "Now you see why I call for Police officers in court.'' VICTIM CONTINUED TO LEND ATM CARD CTS Victim continued to lend ATM card An alleged victim of theft yesterday admitted she allowed a co-worker to continue using her ATM card for some eight months even after finding money missing from her bank account.

Rhonda Lolita Robinson said she trusted Kay Marie Eleanor Lewis to find out what had happened to the missing funds.

Lewis, 44, allegedly committed 128 unauthorised ATM transactions over approximately two years but is charged with just 20 counts of stealing a total of $7,400 from Ms Robinson.

Crown counsel Charmaine Smith said this was because the 20 charges were representative of the crimes committed over this period of time. Ms Robinson and Lewis were co-workers at the Belmont Hotel when Ms Robinson gave Lewis her ATM card so she could do her banking business for her.

Ms Robinson discovered money missing from the account in December, 1994, and approached Lewis who said she would look into it. Lewis later allegedly obtained the services of the law firm Richards Francis & Francis to look into the account.

Meanwhile Ms Robinson audited her account and noted a number of unauthorised transactions. She subsequently approached the Police and filed charges against Lewis. Under cross-examination from defence counsel Phillip Perinchief, Ms Robinson denied being confused about the transactions.

And she denied suggestions she retrieved her ATM card from Lewis so she could give it to her son Marvin so he could make transactions for her. Mr.

Perinchief questioned why Ms Robinson never followed up with Richards, Francis & Francis about their alleged investigation into the missing money.

"I trusted Miss Lewis. I trusted Miss Lewis although I went to the Police,'' she said. The trial is set to continue later this month.

CRICKETER SMITH STUNG FOR $1,000 CTS Cricketer Smith stung for $1,000.

Bermudian opening batsman Dexter Smith has been fined $1,000 for driving without third party insurance.

Smith, who is Sports Editor of the Mid Ocean News pleaded guilty to the offence which carries a maximum fine of $5,040.

Smith, of Radnor Estate Road, Hamilton Parish, was given until the end of March to pay the fine.

More Court coverage, Page 8