A 43-year-old man discovered the limits of being Bermudian in Magistrates? Court yesterday.

Buford Smith of no fixed abode was charged with disobeying a letter, which banned him from the Washington Mall shopping centre in Hamilton. Crown counsel Nicole Smith told court that at 3 p.m. on January 25, Smith entered the Washington Mall premises and refused to leave.

After Police were called and asked Smith to leave he replied: ?I am Bermudian. I can go anywhere.?

He was arrested and transported to the Hamilton Police Station.

Ms Smith produced the letter, which was sent earlier this year from the Washington Properties Ltd. to Smith because he repeatedly harassed store owners.

Smith defended his actions saying: ?I never received the letter.?

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner informed him, however: ?All that is required by law is that a letter be sent by pre-paid registered mail to your last address to forbid you from trespassing.?

After explaining the letter to Smith, Mr. Warner asked him if he pleaded guilty to trespassing.

Smith said: ?I?m hip.?

Mr. Warner sentenced Smith to 30 days in prison suspended for 12 months.