Police and prosecutors yesterday held a crunch meeting in a bid to sort out a row over court delays.

Commissioner of Police Jean-Jacques Lemay met Acting Attorney General William Pearce in an attempt to thrash out the problem.

And a Police spokeswoman said the meeting was "a very productive discussion''.

She added: "A number of matters were discussed and the necessary steps will be taken to correct the deficiencies.'' The Police spokeswoman, however, stopped short of admitting Police were at fault.

Mr. Pearce said after the meeting: "We have always had a good working relationship with the Police.

"It was a very productive meeting and, as a result of the meeting, I'm satisfied that we will continue to deliver an efficient justice system to the people of Bermuda.'' One lawyer added: "I can't conceive of why there would be a delay in the AG's Chambers because Police get all the statements together and bring them in.

"The prosecution reviews them and recommends the charge, then the papers are served.

Normally, if there is a delay, it's a delay in the Police being able to obtain the neccessary statements.'' The two-hour meeting was called after a war of words broke out out following Magistrate Ed King's verbal birching of the Attorney General's Chambers following trial delays.

Mr. King accused the Attorney General's office of a "nine to five'' mentality after an accused had been waiting more than a month to have papers served.

And he added: "There are a lot of cats over there -- they better start mousing.'' Earlier, Mr. King lashed out at hold-ups in the case of a man accused of unlawfully wounding a supermarket chief after an attempted robbery at Harrington Hundreds supermarket.

POLICE POL ATTORNEY GENERAL AG