Donovan Nesbitt of Orchard Grove was told by Magistrate Ed King he owed fines totalling $950 and could face up to 90 days imprisonment if he did not comply.

But Nesbitt, 35, said the fines had already been paid last year. He asked for time to produce proof but Mr. King said the money should be paid straightaway.

"I don't feel I should have to pay twice,'' said Nesbitt. "I would like time to prove I have paid these fines.'' A third driving conviction in two years led to a ban from the road for Christopher Mouchette.

Mouchette, 22, of Lapsley Lane had pleaded guilty to disobeying a traffic sign on Reid Street and also admitted driving whilst disqualified.

The court heard the offences followed two speeding offences committed in 1996 and 1997.

He was banned from driving for 18 months and fined a total of $600, payable immediately or face a penalty of up to four months prison.

A Warwick man escaped a penalty for alleged driving offences after it was established a trial would be impractical.

David Godwin had denied using an unlicensed motorcycle on Middle Road and another motoring offence. Prosecuting counsel Caitlin Garland said the police officer in the case had now left the force, and offered no evidence in the case.

Godwin, 50, of Ord Road, was told he was free to leave the court.

Speeding on South Road, Devonshire landed Michael Hansey with a $225 fine or 28 days in prison.

Hansey, 26, of Harvest Lane, pleaded guilty to speeding at 60 kph and was told it was payable straightaway or face a prison penalty.

CANADIAN COUPLE FINED FOR DRUGS CTS Canadian couple fined for drugs A Canadian couple on holiday in Bermuda were arrested for possession of cannabis, cocaine and drug equipment.

Jean Albert Piche, from Quebec, was arrested at the Bermuda International Airport on August 8 just before 1 p.m. after being searched by Customs officers.

It was discovered that Piche, a 57-year-old crane operator, had a bag of plant material and two bags of a white material hidden under his shirt.

Tests showed he was smuggling 2.47 grams of cannabis and 1.69 grams of cocaine.

Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King fined Piche $400 for the cannabis and $300 for the cocaine after he pleaded guilty.

Piche's girlfriend Lyne Tessier, 26, admitted carrying a glass jar intended to be used for drugs.

Customs officers found the jar with foil over the top in Tessier's suitcase when she flew in with Piche.

The jar was tested and it was discovered to have a cocaine freebase residue on it. Mr. King fined Tessier $300.

INJURED BUILDER TAKES LEGAL ACTION CTS Injured builder takes legal action A builder badly injured in an industrial accident is suing the company that employed him because criminal charges against the firm keep on being postponed.

Dennis Bell, 34, from Warwick, was pinned under a 2,000 pound bucket of cement while working at the CedarBridge Academy site two years ago.

But, although building firm Gringley Construction Company Ltd. has since been charged with failing to provide and maintain safe working conditions and equipment by the Health and Safety Office, a trial for the case has been repeatedly postponed.

Now, fed up with waiting for justice, Mr. Bell has taken out a civil action against the company through lawyers Lightbourne and Simmons.

Last month Mr. Bell's family blasted the Island's judicial system after the case was adjourned for the eighth time.

MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ASSAULT CTS Man pleads guilty to assault A 23-year old Warwick man was given a one-year conditional discharge after pleading guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend causing her bodily harm.

Hedley Tucker, of Khyber Heights Road, told the court he had only been trying to block his ex-girlfriend from attacking him.

Crown Counsel Leighton Rochester told the court Rakil Butterfield had knocked on the door of Tucker's home on April 2 around 4 p.m. but he had refused to let her in.

When she asked to use the phone he brought out a cellular phone before an altercation between the two took place.

Ms Butterfield claimed Tucker had pushed her in her chest with open palms and had also kicked her about her body and gripped her around her neck.

Police attended and reported that Butterfield had no visible injuries but appeared upset.

She attended the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and later came into Hamilton Police station to have a bruise on her leg photographed as evidence.