former Police officer accused of sexually assaulting a woman.

Last week Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ground declared the trial of Mr.

Andrew Robinson was a misscarriage of justice.

The Judge was severely critical of the Magistrates' Court system which dragged out Mr. Robinson's trial over eight months, involving 31 separate court appearances.

In his written reponse, the Judge said: "This trial was spread out over a period of some eight months.

"During this period the evidence was frequently interrupted or heard for short, disjointed sessions and eventually a different prosecuting counsel took over.'' Mr. Justice Ground added: "It is not simply a question of delay, but of fairness. Such dislocation stands to prejudice the possibility of a fair trial.

"The Magistrate is likely to lose sight of the issues, while the burden of the accused is unbearable.'' Yesterday, the Attorney General, Mr. Elliott Mottley, confirmed he would be lodging an appeal later this week against the decision.

"We will be appealing against the ruling of the Judge last week. I have not yet decided the grounds on which to appeal, but one will be the issue of the length of time of the trial at the Magistrates' Court.'' At last week's appeal Mr. Robinson was cleared of a conviction last year for breaking into a woman's home and sexually assaulting her. When he was found guilty he was dismissed from the Bermuda Police Service. The alleged victim has since left the Island.