Magistrate Edward King yesterday fined two employers $500 and a Portuguese woman $250 on work permit violations.

Sharon Smith pleaded guilty to employing Dina Cordeiro Silva Pereira between July 1, 1997 and May 31, 1998, without permission of the Immigration minister.

Crown counsel Venous Telford told Mr. King that Immigration Department Inspectors went to Smith's Garthowen Estate, Devonshire, home at 12.35 p.m. on May 28.

They found Pereira cleaning windows and further enquiries with the cooperation of Smith and Pereira established that she was working at $13 an hour.

Smith's lawyer, Juliana Jack, told Mr. King her client was working 55 hours a week during that time and "didn't think about the crime she was going to commit''.

Mrs. Jack added: "She has a completely unblemished record. Not even a speeding ticket. She has hired six Bermudian cleaning ladies in the past.'' Through an interpreter, Pereira pleaded guilty to the charge of "unlawfully engaging in an occupation'' without permission of the Immigration minister between July 1, 1997 and May 28, 1998.

Pereira, 26, of Portuguese nationality, is the wife of a work permit holder and said she faced a $4,000 hospital bill due accrued during the birth of her child.

Pereira was given until the end of November to pay the fine.

And Thomas Wilding admitted employing another woman -- who was not before the courts -- at his home on Harbour Road, Paget on June 5.

Ms Telford said Immigration officials had established that Wilding misunderstood procedures and had employed the woman prematurely.

Wilding told the court: "I had no intent to break the law in Bermuda. I would like to say how sorry I am.'' He added that he now believes he did not explain to a Ministry clerk that his application was not a renewal.

He added: "She said it would be all right. But I now realise I should have explained it better. All my previous maids have been Bermudian. I was going away and it was mildew season and my cat had to be fed. I'm sorry.''