Defence lawyers yesterday attacked prosecution exhibits in the trial of two men accused of stealing $37,500 in a botched armed robbery.

Rupert Elroy Archibald, 35, of Rockywold Drive, Sandys Parish, and Michael Eugene Dillas, 31, of Stovell Bay Lane, Pembroke face Supreme Court charges stemming from last year's armed robbery attempt at the Somerset Bank of Bermuda branch on April 9.

On the first day of the trial the two men each denied two counts of armed robbery, using a firearm, and carrying a firearm.

Earlier this year Yusef Ameerbakka DeSilva, also charged in connection with the incident, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and using a firearm. He is currently serving an 18-year prison term.

The three men -- and another who was never caught -- used two bikes and a boat to escape. They were caught after they landed on the shore near the Riddell's Bay Golf Course in Warwick.

DeSilva -- with two bullets still in his pocket -- was apprehended trying to leave the area. Dillas and Archibald were found lying on their backs inside a wooded area.

Yesterday, Archibald Warner, representing Archibald, and Victoria Pearman, representing Dillas, objected to a map showing the Riddell's Bay Golf Course.

Chief Justice Austin Ward eventually ruled that the sketch could not be used by witnesses as it was not drawn to scale.

As a result, Crown counsel Patrick Doherty was forced to use some 50 different photographs taken from the land, water, or air to explain where various pieces of evidence were found.

However, defence lawyers were further dissatisfied when a Police witness disclosed there were no pictures of the guns or money at the scene where they were recovered.

"You agree that the money and firearms are important items,'' said Ms Pearman. "Can you give me any reason why we have all these pictures that look like a tourism brochure, but there are no pictures of the money or firearms at Riddell's Bay?'' In his opening speech yesterday, Mr. Doherty related the events of the botched crime.

In the four-man operation, one intruder stationed himself at the bank's entrance and shouted instructions while two of the men rifled through cashier tills.

And the man at the door fired a single bullet into the air, said Mr. Doherty.

A fourth man guarded two getaway motorcycles parked immediately outside the building.

A high speed water chase then followed after the gang made their way to the East Shore Road dock and into a Boston Whaler.

Mr. Doherty said Marine Police easily caught up with the criminals, but held back because of the "gun threat''.

Police also found the stolen cash, two guns, a police scanner, mask, woollen hat, overalls, and a jacket scattered around the area.

The trial continues today.