his absences from court hearings.

And as the hearing went on, additional charges piled up for Corvin Ratteray, 27, of Colony Valley, Southampton. Senior Magistrate Will Francis read the charge of possessing a prohibited weapon, a flick knife or switchblade.

Mr. Francis cut Ratteray short as he tried to explain the knife.

"Its my grandpa's old knife,'' he said. "I've been through this before and I don't want to be here.'' "Well how do you plead, Mr. Ratteray?'' Mr. Francis said.

"I'll plead not guilty then,'' Ratteray said.

Mr.Francis read the second charge of obstructing a Police officer in the course of his duty.

"Obstruction?'' Ratteray said when the second charge was read out. "I had no idea I would be charged with that.'' He tried to give Mr. Francis an "explanation'' but the magistrate would hear nothing of it: "Mr. Ratteray! Mr. Ratteray, did you have the knife in your possession? And did you obstruct the officer?'' He answered not guilty and Mr. Francis originally ordered a trial for July 29, but Ratteray asked that the date be extended as he had engagements out of the Country.

"I just want to get out of the system,'' he said. "July and August are not good months because I've got Sunsplash and things,'' Ratteray said to raucous laughter from the gallery.

Mr. Francis ordered Ratteray to reappear for an afternoon trial on October 19, and bail was set at $500 with a surety in a like amount.

Taking up another ream of papers, Mr. Francis said: "You seem to have money to travel, but not to pay your fines.'' Ratteray failed to show for a trial on January 19 for speeding at 67 kph on October 12 last year.

When Ratteray claimed that someone may be using his name when committing traffic offences, Mr. Francis asked: "License number 29650. Do you know the car?'' "Not guilty but I just want to get out of the system,'' Ratteray repeated twice.

"Well you will be right in the system,'' Mr. Francis answered him. "Trial 25 June! Are you going to be in Bermuda, Canada, Sri Lanka or what?'' Mr. Francis changed that date to the morning of October 19, saying: "By the end of the day I'm sure the magistrate will know you quite well.'' When another charge was read out to him, Ratteray repeated his belief that someone was using his name.

Mr. Francis told him that he had adjourned the case on September 15 last year for four days to allow for the arresting Policeman to attend court to identify Ratteray.

"I gave you a chance and you didn't show up,'' Mr. Francis said in a raised voice. "This is a charge of speeding on New Year's day 1997.'' Ratteray, undeterred from challenging the charges, was interrupted by Mr.

Francis who said: "Don't bother bore me with all that stuff.'' "I set it down to have the cop here and you weren't here!'' he added. "First of all you will pay that bail of $500. Trial on Friday March 27 for ID, new bail of $500 with a like surety.'' "Is that all sir?'' Ratteray asked.

"No, no, no,'' Mr. Francis replied. "There's two more!'' Ratteray then pleaded guilty to riding an unlicensed and uninsured cycle on October 9 on Mullet Bay Road, in St. George's Parish.

He was fined $300 for riding the cycle unlicensed, and $500 for having it uninsured.

Ratteray also pleaded guilty to riding the uninsured cycle on another occasion and was fined $300 more.

He was ordered to pay the fines by May 22 and the forfeited bail must be paid by April 17.