breakdown in the system which caused an unknown number of messages to be lost.

But general manager of the Bermuda Telephone Company Mr. Ernest Pacheco said the service was expected to be restored by late yesterday.

An estimated 500 Hamilton businesses and residences using the automated answering service were affected last Thursday when it partially broke down, giving them access to only some of their messages.

And over the weekend, voice mail recorded no messages at all. Mr. Pacheco said Telco engineers were unable to fix the service right away because it was out of certain parts.

"It was caused by a malfunction in the equipment,'' he said. "We had to fly in some hardware and were awaiting it. But the service should be fully operational by the end of Tuesday.'' The average rate for the service is $5 a month, he said. Only Hamilton subscribers were affected.

YOUNG MOTHER ASSAULTED CTS A 20-year-old mother was the victim of a violent assault over the welfare of her child.

Police said the woman, from Pembroke, was assaulted following an altercation at West Park Lane, Pembroke, with her child's father, her ex-boyfriend.

Community Relations Officer Sgt. John Dale said: "The man apparently became quite violent punching her in the face and body.

"He allegedly threw her on the ground where he continued to punch and even kick her. He was eventually dragged off her by another person.

"She was able to leave the scene safely and attend Hamilton Police Station where she made a formal complaint.'' W.P.c. Oneika Wainwright is dealing with the incident. She can be contacted on 295 0011.

Police are also investigating a break-in at the West End Development Corporation where someone broke into the maintenance shed and stole a Black & Decker skill saw, two mason floats and two plastering trowels.

DISQUALIFIED FOR DRUNK DRIVING CTS Drunk-driver Olin Jones was fined $450 yesterday after a court heard how he rode his bike into the path of a van.

Jones, 61, of Ord Road, Warwick, was also taken off the road for 12 months by Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis.

Sgt. Peter Giles, prosecuting, said the accident occurred on August 17 in Ord Road, Warwick.

Jones collided with the van as he rounded a bend, Sgt. Giles added.

Jones admitted driving while impaired.

LOUD MUSIC SEES WOMAN IN COURT CTS A Paget mother's party for her 13-year-old daughter failed to put the neighbours in a festive mood.

For they complained to the Police that Rosalee Laurie Hypolite had the music up too loud.

And yesterday Hypolite, 39, of Ord Road, was fined $200 at Magistrates' Court.

She admitted the music could be heard from over 100 feet away.

Sgt. Peter Giles, prosecuting, said Police officers received numerous complaints about the noise on June 28.