The Crown was warned by Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King in Magistrates' Court yesterday that if papers for a case of purse-snatching were not ready within two weeks, the defendant would be released.

Gerald Eugene Smith, 38, of Curving Avenue, Pembroke, was charged with attempted robbery several weeks ago in Magistrates' Court. He was accused of attempting to snatch tourist Leah Haffta's purse on May 12, and the case was adjourned until May 30 for papers to be served.

However when the Crown told Mr. King that the papers had not yet been served, and asked for a further two weeks to do so, Mr. King responded: "In the interest of justice in indictable matters the Crown should ensure the position that the accused gets a speedy trial -- especially when the accused is deprived of his liberty."

The Crown had previously objected to bail in this case and the defendant had been remanded into custody.

Mr. King continued: " When they come here charged with an indictable offence, the papers should almost be ready to hand over, except for exceptional cases like murder."

He said: "If these papers are not ready and I am sitting down here, he is going to be granted bail. The Crown is warned that if papers have not been served, the defendant will be released from custody."

He then adjourned the matter until June 13.