under 14, narrowly escaped jail yesterday.

The man, who is represented by Mr. Archie Warner, failed to show up for arraignment earlier this week.

Under reporting restrictions which came into effect on June 1, 1993, it would be illegal for The Royal Gazette to print the man's name. And Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs. Justice Wade demanded to hear reasons why she should not remand him in custody until his trial on July 5.

Mr. Warner said his client was under a great deal of stress and was not familiar with legal procedures.

He stressed that he was not showing contempt for the court and apologised for his actions.

"Mr. Warner did explain that it is a lengthy process,'' the accused said, "so I was frustrated at the disruption to my life.'' Mrs. Wade pointed out that although Mr. Warner apologised on his behalf, the accused still had not personally apologised to the court.

Crown Counsel Mr. Stephen Harrison suggested the man's $1,000 bail be increased with a second surety.

Mr. Warner, however, asked Mrs. Wade that the surety not exceed $1,000.

"I'm giving you one last chance,'' Mrs. Wade told the accused. "If you breach these conditions bail will be forfeited and you will have to stay in jail until your trial.'' Mrs. Wade released the man on bail in the sum of $1,500 on his own recognisance plus two sureties.

SOCIAL INQUIRY REPORT FOR DRUGS MAN CTS Social inquiry report for drugs man A 38-year-old Pembroke man on Tuesday admitted handling a "significant quantity'' of cocaine intended for supply.

Kenneth Eugene Douglas, of Middle Town Road, committed the offence on or about June 26, 1992, Supreme Court heard.

Mr. Kim White, representing Douglas, asked that his bail be extended during the preparation of a social inquiry report. Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs. Justice Wade said it was unusual to allow bail for someone who admitted handling a significant quantity of drugs. But she agreed to the request.

Douglas will be sentenced on July 5.

AMERICAN CONFUSED BY LEGAL SYSTEM CTS American confused by legal system An American accused of drug smuggling expressed confusion in Magistrates Court yesterday over Bermuda's legal system.

Brenton McPherson, 33, was charged with importing cocaine to the Island on March 27 and asked to enter a plea.

But he refused, saying it was his understanding the charge was indictable.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis told him the prosecution had "backed away'' from their decision to try him in Supreme Court, which was to his advantage.

After a heated conversation with his lawyer Mr. Archie Warner, McPherson still refused to plead to the charge.

He told the court that when he was arrested for allegedly importing "$100,000 worth of drugs'', Police told him the case had to be tried in Supreme Court and he did not have to enter a plea.

Growing frustrated, Mr. Francis adjourned the case to June 16 to give McPherson more time to discuss the charge with his lawyer.

KEEP PIT BULL UNDER CONTROL, MAN TOLD CTS Keep pit bull under control, man told The owner of a pit bull terrier which bit a woman on the leg was fined $200 in Magistrates Court yesterday.

The woman needed 10 stitches to close the inner-thigh wound, Prosecutor Sgt.

Earl Kirby said.

She had been walking near Harrington Hundreds on the evening of March 15 when the dog leapt up and attacked her as she neared a corner, he said.

Karim Francis, 23, of Smith's Parish pleaded guilty to being the owner of the dog that caused injury to Mrs. Janet Smith.

He was also fined $100 after admitting he did not hold a licence for it. He told the court he had been walking the dog at the time. Mrs. Smith had excited it when she screamed upon seeing it as she rounded a corner. The dog had been on a leash the whole time, he claimed.

But Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis told the man he had "no business'' having such a dog in public if he could not keep it from jumping up and attacking people. "It could have been a child,'' he said.