man being slapped with a $2,000 fine yesterday.

Magistrates' Court heard that two Fisheries wardens went to John Lima's Pitts Bay Road residence on December 20 after they had received certain information.

There they found a total of 18 undersized lobsters -- either frozen or cooked -- and arrested Lima.

Lima admitted his guilt to the charges of possessing lobsters without a licence and possessing a protected species which was too small.

He said he had bought them "off some black guy'' he did not know because "they were cheap''.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis said the size of the fine highlighted the seriousness of the offence.

The law was put in place "to protect Bermuda from being fished out like so many other parts of the world'', he added.

Lima was fined $1,000 on each count and was given two weeks to pay.

CHECK CAR LICENCES POL Check car licences Police are reminding drivers to ensure that licences are displayed in cars -- or risk being prosecuted.

Under the Motor Car Act 1951 it is an offence not to display the licence certificate in a vehicle.

Police spokeswoman Evelyn James-Barnett said: "Police officers have noticed that there are a large number of private vehicles not displaying their licence sticker.

"As a result, members of the public are generally inconvenienced when they are pulled over to the side and an officer has to radio for a vehicle check.

"We remind everyone that this inconvenience can be avoided altogether with the proper display of the TCD licence as required by law.'' BERMUDIAN DIES IN FIJI OBT Bermudian dies in Fiji News has been received of the death, in Fiji, of Richmond Higinbothom Outerbridge, son of the late Frederick Collins and Leila Outerbridge of St.

George's.

Mr. Outerbridge died on February 9 in his 79th year. A funeral service was held in Fiji on February 12.

THEFT SUSPECT HELD CRM Theft suspect held Police arrested a 17-year-old St. George's woman in connection with a shoplifting offence at Hamilton's Phoenix Store.

Staff stopped the teenager as she left the store on Saturday afternoon and found cosmetics and food in a bag.

Police were called and she was taken to Hamilton Police Station. Inquiries are continuing.

A tourist couple staying at a South Road, Warwick, hotel had cash stolen by intruders who broke into their room during the early hours of Saturday morning as the couple slept.

Police are investigating the incident.

MAN CHOOSES PRISON CTS Man chooses prison Swearing in a public place landed a prisoner in jail for a further 25 days.

Mark Tucker, 28, pleaded guilty to swearing at Lines Food and Liquor on January 20 and was fined $250 or 25 days.

Tucker -- who is serving a sentence of 60 days imprisonment for an unpaid fine -- opted to take the time in prison.

The court heard that Tucker went to the Warwick store and proceeded to swear at its customers and its owner Richard Powell who eventually called the Police.

DUMPING INVESTIGATED POL Dumping investigated Police are investigating the dumping of a dozen five-gallon drums of floor tile adhesive in Smith's Parish.

According to labels on the drums, the manufacturer's name is MAPEI and the drums are sealed and do not pose a danger to anyone.

Anyone who can help identify either the importer or the person responsible for dumping the drums is asked to contact P.c. Alex MacDonald on 297-1122.