Health Minister Nelson Bascome saw his theft trial delayed once again yesterday, because Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner was sick.

Bascome denies stealing $56,000 entrusted to him by the Bank of Bermuda for business purposes between September, 2003 and February, 2004 and $20,000 from the Natural Business Company, of which he was a director, in March 2004.

The trial has already been adjourned on numerous occasions since Bascome was charged last June.

The main issue has been the busy diaries of Senior Crown counsel Paula Tyndale and defence lawyer Victoria Pearman.

Bascome, 52, of Friswells Road, Pembroke, is the MP for Pembroke East Central.

He must return to court on June 2 for a new trial date to be fixed, and has been bailed until then.