community service order and a $200 fine for possessing a joint and 34 bags of cannabis intended for supply.

Glenn Alexander Burgess, of Tribe Road, Warwick, pleaded guilty to the offences that occurred on June 21, 1994.

His previous clean record, educational achievements, full-time job and strong family support, kept him out of jail.

Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, said Burgess was spotted standing in Joell's Alley, Pembroke, smoking a home-made cigarette.

Police approached him and took the cigarette. Nearby, resting in a chair, was a knapsack that Burgess admitted belonged to him.

Inside Police found 15 brown envelopes containing cannabis. Later, 19 more envelopes full of cannabis were found at his home, together with a brown paper cannabis twist. The cigarette contained .13 grams of cannabis, the paper twist contained .37 grams of the drug, while the bags weighed 26.61 grams. Police estimated the drugs' total value at $850.

Burgess' lawyer Mr. Richard Hector said his client had a supportive family and an enviable high school academic performance that included several General Certificate of Education passes.

Mr. Hector said that his client was involved in the culture of smoking and using drugs.

"My client was owed money. Instead of payment in cash, he was paid back in cannabis. He intended to use it himself although he was willing to give some to friends if they asked.'' Moreover, Mr. Hector said Burgess was no drug trafficker and this was confirmed because no scales or empty brown envelopes were found at his house.

"This is a young man who can and should be challenged to make a contribution to Bermuda,'' Mr. Hector continued. "At the time of this incident he was employed part-time. He is now employed full-time and his employer describes him as reliable.'' Mr. Hector asked the court to "challenge'' his client by imposing a sentence that would compel him to give back meaningfully to the community.

Meantime Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis said:"I hope this experience shows you that this community is serious about drugs. You have spent one day on remand and I hope that was enough to make you realise that you don't want to spend any more time up there.''