Hands on Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay waited patiently in the lobby of Magistrates Court on Monday ready to testify in the case of a 19-year-old accused of drug possession.

In the end, Mr. Lemay did not have to take the stand against Anson Murray Edwards of Ramgoat Hill, Smith's.

Prosecutor Juan Wolffe changed the charge from possession of 13 grams of cannabis with intent to supply to simple possession.

Edwards pleaded guilty to having the cannabis on May 12 this year. He has no previous convictions.

With the plea, Mr. Lemay -- wearing a dark grey business suit and snazzy maroon alligator shoes -- entered the courtroom and listened to Mr. Wolffe read the summary of evidence against Edwards.

Once the case was over and Mr. Lemay had left the courtroom, Magistrate Edward King commented on his presence.

With a broad smile and a flourish of the hands he said: "There's not many magistrates whose courts have been graced by the Commissioner of Police. Boy, look at that!'' Mr. King had just given Edwards a three month prison sentence, which he suspended for two years, telling the unemployed teen he had to take into account the large amount he was caught with.

Mr. Wolffe told the Court a "uniform patrol'' searched Edwards in Smith's Parish shortly after 1 p.m.

In addition to finding 11 small pay type envelopes, the officers found a small knife in a pants pocket.

It is known that Mr. Lemay will often accompany more junior officers on routine patrols and will take part in arrests -- even the more physical ones as Edwards' appears to have been.

The Government Analyst found the cannabis to be 13.66 grams of cannabis which if sold on the streets of Bermuda would fetch $670.

Edwards told Mr. King: "I would like to get a fine (for this). I'm sorry for what I've done and the trouble I've caused. I'm sorry for my family and I'll never do this again.'' Mr. King replied: "You know something, you are a very lucky young man. Very lucky.

"Because if you had been convicted on the un-amended charge you could have been facing five years,'' he added. "13 grams in separate pay type envelopes? You're very lucky.

"But you're not working so I can't fine you. I'll impose three months in prison suspended for 24 months, in the hopes that such a term will be a deterrent to you.'' He continued: "Because you're not going to pay and this will come out of somebody else's pocket, I'll put the whole burden on you. Say no to drugs.

"If you come back here in those two years and are convicted or plead guilty to any imprisonable offence you will be dealt with first on this. Kick the habit because you have to do it.

While Mr. King said he would not fine Edwards for the drugs charge, he did fine him $350 for having a knife.