A young man who repeatedly failed to appear for Bermuda Regiment duty was given his marching orders yesterday -- to Westgate.

Twenty-year-old Jeremy Gene Whitecross later turned his march into a mad dash for freedom from Magistrates' Court.

But he was restrained outside the courtroom by Policemen amid emotional scenes.

Whitecross, of Flat Rock Close, Spanish Point, was remanded in custody until February 6, pending a social inquiry report.

He had pleaded in vain with Magistrate Cheryl Ann Mapp to be released on bail, saying he had already spent Christmas in Westgate.

"It was the worst nightmare of my life,'' he said.

Whitecross admitted two charges of failing to appear for duty -- between July and November 1995, and May and June 1996.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to attend for embodiment, disobeying orders to carry out seven extra duties and escaping custody of Regimental Police.

Crown Counsel Leighton Rochester said Whitecross enlisted in the Regiment in October 1994.

He was required to attend military duty on a regular basis -- but failed to do so.

"He is a persistent offender,'' said Mr. Rochester.

He added the Regiment believed Whitecross's offences were so serious they could only be dealt with by Magistrates' Court.

Whitecross told Ms Mapp he had outstanding fines totalling more than $3,000.

And he feared the Regiment would turn him over to the Police if he appeared for duty.

"I want to have a second chance ... I am begging for another chance,'' he said, adding he had been on his own since he was 15.

"Let me prove to everybody what I can do.'' Ms Mapp pointed out Whitecross had appeared six times before his Commanding Officer between May 1995 and July 1996.