rehabilitating offenders, appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with possession of drug equipment.

Simmons, 58, of no fixed abode, denies possession of a glass pipe used to smoke drugs on July 16 last year.

He is currently undergoing treatment for addiction in Montreal, Canada, and was arrested for a family matter when he returned to the Island.

Simmons said he did not expect to be arrested for the matter and asked for time to prepare for the trial.

Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King rejected a request from Crown counsel Graveney Bannister to hold the trial today before Simmons flies back to Canada.

He set a trial date for September 11 in Magistrates' Court.

Simmons, co-founded the controversial Woodshop programme in St. George's.

Government evicted the group from the site on Military Road in January.

JAIL JAL