A man who has been off the Island for five years on Monday denied stealing a wristwatch ? on June 29, 2000.

James Lovell, 32, of Footbridge Lane, Pembroke, was supposed to appear in court on July 14, 2000 to plead to the charge of stealing the $63 watch but failed to do so.

?I was arrested five years ago. I had a meeting with the complaining party and they agreed on friendly terms that the charge would be dropped. That is what enabled me to go abroad to aviation school,? Lovell said in Magistrates? Court this week.

Lovell said it was his understanding that the matter was cleared up.

?I haven?t been in the country in five years?, Lovell said. ?I?ve only been home six months and only found out about this last night.?

Lovell?s trial has been adjourned to October 13. He was bailed for $2,000 with one surety.

A Warwick man was fined $300 after pleading guilty to having drug equipment.

Weldon Richardson, 57, of Sprill Hill, Warwick was arrested by Police on White Hill Field in Sandys on January 18, 2004 for possessing a pipe and suspected drug apparatus.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner heard that a Government analyst examined the pipe and it was found to have contained cocaine.

Mr. Warner fined Richardson $300 to be paid immediately or spend three months in prison.

A 31-year-old Paget man pleaded not guilty to a charge of intruding on the privacy of a minor.

The alleged incident occurred on May 8 in Paget, Magistrates? Court heard. Acting Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo adjourned the matter until October 2, and the defendant was bailed on $2,000.

A Smith?s man was fined $1,000 and disqualified from all vehicles for 12 months after pleading guilty to driving while impaired.

Alistair McKinnon, 34, of Knapton Close, Smith?s was arrested by Police on July 10 last year on Lane Hill on suspicion of driving while impaired.

After a breathalyser was taken, McKinnon was found to have 211 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Senior Magistrate Archie Warner fined McKinnon $1,000 and he was disqualified from all vehicles for 12 months. McKinnon must pay the fine by August 19 or spend three months in prison.