A Southampton woman has denied stealing $24,688 from a woman and forging a number of cheques in order to pay rental fee debts and a telephone company debt.

While working as a clerk for Hamilton-based Reporting and Transcription Services (BDA) Limited, it is alleged that Phyllis Soares stole the money from a woman called Doris Goodman between June 2002 and April 2003. It is also alleged that on four occasions in 2002 Soares, of Whaling Hill, forged Bank of Bermuda cheques to pay a combination of rental debts and a telephone services debt.

When she appeared that Supreme Court arraignments session before Chief Justice Richard Ground, Soares, 49, who is also known as Phyllis Burchall, pleaded not guilty to one charge of stealing, four counts of forging Bank of Bermuda cheques, four counts of ?uttering a false document? and four counts of false pretences by pretending to have had authority to tender the cheques.

She was released on bail to reappear before the court for mention at the next arraignments session on September 1.

Also appearing in court were Laurie Julian Leroy Furbert and Carmelita Francis-Pitcher who face a manslaughter charge in relation to 81-year-old Gladys Smith who died at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Furbert, 33, of Westering Lane, Warwick and Francis-Porter, 35, of Mount Road, St. David?s were bailed and it was mentioned in court that the charge is expected to be quashed at a hearing scheduled for September 15.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Alvin Eugene Crane, 39, of Wellington Hill, St. George?s, who faces a charge of grievous bodily harm but did not appear in court. His lawyer Randall Woolridge said he had been informed that Crane had been chopped in the head in a machete attack but he had been unable to find him registered as a patient at the KEMH, he added: ?It is most unusual that he is not here.?

Leonard Leroy Adams, 20, of Raynor?s Drive, Southampton, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possessing nine forged $50 bank notes on February 1 this year. He was bailed to reappear on September 1.

Also in court was Garrick Chris Williams, 31, of Greenacres Road, Devonshire, who faced four charges relating to importation of the drugs diamorphine (heroin) and Ecstasy and being in possession of those drugs with intent to supply.

The offences are said to have been committed on May 16 this year. Williams pleaded not guilty to the four counts and was bailed for mention on September 1. The court was told he had surrendered his travel documents as part of the bail conditions.

Neville James Woods, 38, of Dunscombe Road, Warwick, has denied robbing a woman on December 12 last year. He has been remanded in custody until October 16.

A retrial of Somerset couple Jennifer Medeiros and Oshane Eugene Darrell, who face a charge of having $200,000-worth of cocaine at their home in Seawall Drive is now expected to take place in 2007. Darrell now wishes to be represented by Jamaican lawyer Frank Phipps QC, who the court was informed is not available until the new year. The case has been listed for mention again on September 1.

Former international cross-country runner Jamal K. Hart, 37, of East Dale Road, Southampton, is to face a retrial concerning the alleged importation of 10,953 grams of cannabis. His case will be mentioned on September 1.

Footballer and his friend Reggie Devonne Lowe and Elroy Jermaine Dill, both of Fork Lane, Southampton, who have been found guilty of unlawful wounding and housebreaking are to be re-appear in court on August 8.

Sentencing of Pembroke man John Sinclair Anderson, 38, who pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to causing grievous bodily harm and having a machete on Court Street on October 15 last year, has been set October 2. Anderson, of St. Monica?s Road, was remanded in custody.

The trial of William Eugene Oral Robinson, 45, of Parsons Road, Pembroke and Jamar Malik Dill, 32, of Seagull Lane, Pembroke, who are charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery and possession of an offensive weapon has been set for October 23.

Robinson had his bail extended, a warrant was issued for Dill who did not appear in court.