began shouting objections to the Crown Counsel's attempt to cross-examine a witness about a "statement'' Police say he gave them.

Mr. Delroy Duncan is representing the Policeman who denies breaking into a woman's home and sexually assaulting her on July 25, 1993.

The witness, Richard Hyde, who is also the Government House Registrar, denied ever formally being asked to make a statement to Det. Insp. Carlton Adams.

He said that on September 7, 1993 he conversed with Det. Insp. Adams, and at the end of the conversation he was given a handwritten record.

"I agreed to sign only after I had read it and greatly amended the statement,'' he said.

Crown Counsel Mr. Stephen Harrison, wanted to question Hyde about the contents of the statement and was about to hand him a typewritten transcript when Mr.

Duncan sprang to his feet.

He objected to Mr. Harrison's attempt to question the witness on the grounds that as defence counsel, he had not been given a copy of the original amended statement.

And he said he had some difficulty with the manner in which it was obtained.

Mr. Harrison agreed to provide Mr. Duncan with a copy, but insisted on pursuing his intended line of questioning.

However, before Magistrate the Wor. Cheryl Ann Mapp could rule on the disputed point of law, Mr. Harrison asked that the case be adjourned since he had a prior commitment.

Earlier, the man called the charges that he broke into the woman's home, held her legs apart and had oral sex with her a "totally incorrect (and) ...obscene suggestion.'' He steadfastly maintains that he had an open invitation to visit the woman and that on the night of the alleged offence the woman told him to come in "through the window.'' And that he was fully dressed, all to his shoes and socks which he said he removed because he expected "to stay a while.'' But the woman earlier in the trial denied ever meeting, or talking to the accused at any time.

The man said he panicked when Det. Insp. Adams and several other officers came to his house because he realised then that the woman was seriously pressing charges.

He said Det. Insp. Adams had a warrant to search his house, and he (the accused) asked the detectives to interview him outside because he did not want his wife to overhear the conversation.

The accused's testimony was interrupted because the court decided to hear Hyde's testimony since he was soon leaving the Island and going back to Britain.

Hyde said he knew both the accused and the woman who he allegedly raped.

He said he met them both at social gatherings at the Police club in October 1992 and Bethell's Island in June 1993.

He also invited the accused and his wife to a party he hosted at his house in May and though uninvited, the woman also came with friends.

At all three social events, Hyde said he saw the woman standing near the accused in the same group with other people talking generally.

He said that at no time did he remember the accused ever speaking directly to the woman.

Hyde said it was possible that he may have introduced the accused to the complainant at a party held in October 1992 at the Police club where he was a bartender.

RESIDENTS WELCOM TO CELEBRATIONS MIL Residents welcome to celebrations The US Naval Air Station is opening its gates to Bermuda residents on July 3 for Independence Day celebrations which include a traditional fireworks display.

Gates are set to open at 10 a.m. Among the day's events are a Fun Castle and rides, Bermuda Regiment performances with the Bermuda Island Pipe Band and an appearance by Barney and Baby Bop.

One of the highlights is sure to be waterslide and Water Shoot Show put on by the NAS Fire Division.

Topping off the evening is a fireworks display set for 9 p.m.

The Fourth of July fun and festivities will take place on Clearwater Beach.