The Supreme Court yesterday clearly signalled its view about those who lead Police on high speed chase.

Anyone who behaved in such a manner should know that he or she will receive a prison sentence.

This view was recently illustrated by the Supreme Court when Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ground upheld a custodial sentence imposed by the Senior Magistrate for a man who was convicted for four traffic offences.

Curtis Franklin Hodgson, of Cricket Lane, Sandys Parish, had pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to committing public mischief, perverting the course of justice, failing to stop for Police and dangerous driving in connection with an incident at 12.18 a.m. on May 7.

Police clocked Hodgson speeding at 85 kph on a motorcycle on Middle Road in Devonshire and attempted to stop him.

But the court heard that Hodgson accelerated away, a chase ensued and in the end Hodgson abandoned the bike and escaped on foot.

Hodgson later tried to report his motorcycle stolen to Police, however the Police were not taken in by the ploy and questioned Hodgson who then admitted his involvement in the chase.

In his ruling, Justice Ground said: "The Senior Magistrate was right to impose a custodial sentence.'' "I think high speed chases at night should always merit a prison sentence,'' he added.

Justice Ground reduced the eight-month prison term which Hodgson received from Magistrates' Court for the May 7 offences to six months saying, "I do not think sufficient weight was given to the appellant's plea or to his personal circumstances''.

He also reduced Hodgson's sentence for speeding, stating, "I also consider that the sentence of three months for speeding was excessive, even given the fact that the appellant was recorded at 85 kph''.

Justice Ground imposed a sentence of 14 days imprisonment which was to run concurrently with Hodgson's six-month sentence.

MAN STOLE TO SUPPORT HIS CRACK COCAINE HABIT CTS Man stole to support his crack cocaine habit Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis heard how a 30-year-old St. George's man stole $12,500 from his job and blew it all on crack cocaine in less than a month.

Alfred Charles Esdaille, of Wellington Slip Road, pleaded guilty to 16 charges of fraud, false pretence and theft.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Kenrick James said Esdaille, a former employee of Watlington Water, gained access to the company's accounts department and stole five blank cheques between September 18 and October 14.

On September 25 Esdaille wrote out a cheque for $3,000, presented it and received cash from the Bank of Butterfield, said Sgt. James.

The married father of three wrote another cheque to himself on September 27 and obtained $2,000 from the Bank of Butterfield on Front Street.

On September 28, Esdaille wrote two $3,000 cheques to himself and received money from the Bank of Butterfield's Rosebank location.

And on October 2, the plumber wrote a $1,500 cheque to himself and cashed it at the Bank of Butterfield in St. George's.

Sgt. James said Esdaille contacted Watlington Water on October 14 and confessed. He told Police that he purchased crack cocaine with all the money.

Duty counsel Mr. Juan Wolffe told the court that Esdaille realised that he needed help and started a rehabilitation programme at Montrose on Wednesday.

Mr. Francis ordered a social inquiry report and granted Esdaille bail in the sum of $2,000 with a like surety.

"You can start getting treatment while you are out on bail,'' he told the addict.

NOT GUILTY PLEA TO ESCAPING POLICE CTS Not guilty plea to escaping Police A 20-year-old Hamilton Parish man pleaded not guilty in Magistrates' Court yesterday to obstructing a Police officer and escaping from Police custody.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Donald Grant told the court that Derek Spalding of North Shore Road was allegedly given "something'' by a man Police officers were searching under the Misuse of Drugs Act and he ran away.

The second offence occurred two weeks later when Spalding was arrested by Police.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. William Francis released Spalding on $500 bail with a like surety and set a trial date for March 5, 1996 in Magistrates' Court Two at 2.30 p.m.