Anthony Conroy Francis told a jailer that the gun used during the robbery of the Southampton Princess branch of the Bank of Butterfield was his, a Supreme court jury heard yesterday.

But the jailer never recorded this conversation although he agreed it was important information that would have assisted the Police's investigation.

Francis, 27, of Stadium Heights, Devonshire is charged with possessing a handgun and working in concert with Che Pennyman. They are alleged to have robbed the bank of more than $20,000 on October 14, 1994.

Pennyman has since pleaded guilty to the offence and is serving a 12-year prison sentence.

P.c. Michael Redferm was the officer responsible for the jail area on October 18, 1994 while Francis was in custody.

"He called out and I went to see what he wanted,'' P.c. Redferm said. "He asked for a cigarette and I brought him down to the courtyard area where I gave him a cigarette.

"While in the courtyard he was smoking the cigarette and we had a conversation on various topics.'' P.c. Redferm said they spoke about racism, the Bermuda Regiment and the robbery.

During the ebb and flow of the conversation he said Francis disclosed that the handgun used in the bank robbery was his and that he bought it locally for $2,000.

Although he agreed with Mr. Archie Warner, representing Francis, that this was important information that would have assisted the Police investigation, P.c.

Redferm said he made no written record of the conversation.

"I suggest that the reason you did not say anything is that the defendant (Francis) never told you anything. You are making it all up to earn a promotion to the Criminal Investigations Department.'' P.c. Redferm said he reported the conversation to his senior officer Sgt.

Patrick Hamlett who interviewed Francis later that evening.

Gerard Regis, a mechanic who sold Francis the V-80 motorcycle that is alleged to have been used as the getaway vehicle, said he had constructed the motorcycle and sold it to the accused on September 16, 1994.

He said he gave Francis the paperwork to transfer the vehicle's ownership but he never did it.

Regis said that on the day of the robbery Police called him at home and he went to the Hamilton Police Station to see what they wanted.

"Apparently that bike had been used during a robbery that same day. It was in my name. The transfer (of ownership) never took place.'' Regis said when he saw the motorcycle at the Police compound, changes had been made to the muffler, carburettor and the licence plate was missing.

However, he said there were other features of the cycle like the alloy wheels, hubs and paint job that allowed him to recognise it at the compound.

Regis said he could not say whether Francis sold the cycle to someone else, gave it away or loaned it to someone else.

The Crown is expected to close its case today. Pusine Judge the Hon. Mrs.

Justice Wade is presiding.