A November 1 trial date has been set for a 25-year-old Pembroke man who denies assaulting two Police officers.

Kijon Justin Williams, of Cedar Avenue, Pembroke pled not guilty to assaulting P.c. Jeff Barron and P.c. Lloyd Peterkin on June 20, 2004 while the officers were executing their duties.

Williams also denied violently resisting arrest. Magistrate Ed King set bail at $750.

Underwear theft trial set for November 10

A 45-year-old man yesterday denied breaking into a woman's house and stealing three pairs of her underwear.

Joseph Percy Patrick Stamper, of Middle Road, Devonshire, was charged in Magistrates' Court with breaking into the woman's home at night and stealing $25 worth of her underclothes.

Magistrate Ed King set a trial date for November 10 and bail for $1,000.

Drugs drove me to steal, says addict

A self-confessed drug addict blamed her crime on drugs yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Marisa Ratteray, 43, who is currently serving time at the Co-ed facility, admitted stealing a rib eye steak and a box of strawberry shortcake from the Shelly Bay Market Place because she was under the influence of heroin at the time.

“The person standing in front of you today is a different person,” she said.

Crown counsel Anthony Blackman told the court that the food was valued at $25. Ratteray said she was presently in treatment and was “doing quite well”.

Magistrate Edward King said that Ratteray's upbringing had been wasted by drugs and that she was a “physical shadow of what she used to be”.

“I incarcerate her for drug treatment which she needs so badly,” he said. Ratteray was given six months in prison.

Cannabis laws take American by surprise

An American confessed he did not know how strict the laws against cannabis were in Bermuda.

Yesterday in Magistrates' Court Anthony Blackwell, 47, of Ohio, admitted importing six marijuana cigarettes into Bermuda.

Crown counsel Anthony Blackman told the court that Blackwell arrived on a commercial flight from Philadelphia on October 6 and an officer found 2.61 grams of cannabis in his luggage, hidden inside a sneaker.

Mr. Blackman said that Blackwell told the officer that the drugs were for his own personal use.

Magistrate Ed King told the court that the maximum penalty for Blackwell's crime is a $10,000 fine and/or five years imprisonment.

“I am sorry for what I have done - I made a mistake, “ said Blackwell. Mr. King fined him $1,000.

Dog alerted Police to cannabis

An American yesterday admitted importing 14.21 grams of cannabis.

Patrick Bluntson, 39, of Wisconsin, apologised to Magistrates' Court and was fined $1,000.

Senior Crown counsel Juan Wolffe said Bluntson arrived on a commercial flight from the US and a Police dog showed interest in his groin area when he entered Bermuda International Airport.

Bluntson was taken into a room for a personal search, where he pulled out a blue plastic bag from his groin area which contained marijuana.

Mr. Wolffe said Bluntson told Police that he brought the marijuana with him for a medical condition. The marijuana helps him eat.

December 6 trial set for alleged cycle thief

A 43-year-old Pembroke man yesterday denied stealing an auxiliary cycle.

David Troy Fubler also pleaded not guilty to receiving the bike knowing it was stolen or unlawfully obtained.

Magistrates' Court heard the offences allegedly occurred on July 20 and the cycle belonged to Christine Swan.

Fubler was given a December 6 trial date by Magistrate Archie Warner.

Drinking binge ends in broken club window

A Hamilton Parish man told a magistrate that a drinking binge led to his breaking a window at the Bailey's Bay Cricket Club.

Wayne Wales, 23, of Fisherman's Hill, Hamilton Parish, apologised to the court for breaking the window valued at $300 and vowed to only drink water and juice when he goes out.

“I am sorry - I got out of hand. I was drinking a little too much. I deserve the charge I get,” he said.

Magistrate Ed King asked Wales what he learned from the ordeal and he replied: “I learned when I go out - don't drink.”

Mr. King fined Wales $450 and ordered him to pay $300 for the window he broke.

Wales also admitted to a slew of traffic offences which totalled $3,400 in fines. Mr. King allowed Wales to pay by November 30.