sentenced in Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Richard Greene, 43, pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing an illegal substance when he was stopped by Police near Dellwood Middle School at 1.20 a.m. on May 16.

He was found carrying eight rock-like substances in his jacket pocket which upon examination proved to be 2.25 grams of cocaine.

The area where he was caught in possession of the drug is an increased penalty zone -- near schools, parks or playgrounds. These designated areas carry stiffer penalties if an offence is committed there.

However, Magistrate Edward King took into consideration the time of day in which the offence took place and the fact that Greene was travelling through the area rather than intentionally remaining there.

Instead of enforcing the minimum additional fine of $1,000 for offending in an increased penalty zone, Mr. King fined Greene $500.

MAN CHOOSES TOP COURT CTS Man chooses top court A man accused of possessing cannabis snubbed a Magistrates' Court trial last week -- and demanded his case be taken to the highest court in the land.

Marc Alan Bean, 24, appeared before Senior Magistrate Will Francis charged with simple drugs possession in Sandys Parish on October 10 last year.

But Bean, of Tribe Road Six, Sandys, took the unusual step on Wednesday of opting to be tried by a judge and a jury instead of a magistrate.

When Mr. Francis quizzed him about his decision to switch to Supreme Court -- which could lead to a harsher sentence -- Bean replied: "The higher it goes the better.'' But Bean will be back before a magistrate before his Supreme Court appointment for a mention hearing on February 24.

TEEN PUT ON PROBATION CTS Teen put on probation A Magistrate has placed a teenager on probation for two years for possessing cocaine.

Devon Eugene Landy, of North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish pleaded guilty to possessing .31 grams of cocaine when he was arrested and searched by Police for another matter on July 26.

The 17-year-old had previously said he planned to sell the cocaine to buy food for himself.

Landy had also pleaded guilty to several unrelated charges over the past year, but had never been sentenced.

After considering the social inquiry report that had been carried out, Magistrate Edward King put Landy on probation for two years.

TEEN STOLE TV GAME CTS Teen stole TV game A Pembroke teenager on Friday received a sentence of two years' probation for breaking and entering and damage to property.

Kyle Smith, of Parson's Road, Pembroke was placed on probation by Magistrate Edward King for breaking and entering into a Devonshire home and stealing a Playstation game worth approximately $70.

The 19-year-old had also caused $60 worth of damage to a pedal bike.

Mr. King asked that Smith appear before the court again on May 12 to review his probation.

WOMAN IMPORTED DRUGS CTS Woman imported drugs A 28-year-old Warwick woman on Friday pleaded guilty to importing cannabis.

But Senior Magistrate Will Francis released Launie Shaun Porter-Ford, of Hillview Road, on bail until a social inquiry report is presented. It is expected to be completed by April 7 when Porter-Ford will be sentenced.

MOTHER STOLE FROM STORE CTS Mother stole from store A mother of two has received a suspended prison sentence for theft.

An off-duty Police officer saw Laurell Steede, of Long Ridge Pass, Devonshire, stealing goods from Knick Knack store on December 2 last year.

Steede was found guilty in Magistrates' Court on Friday of three counts of theft and received a suspended sentence of 28 days imprisonment on each count.