unanimous guilty verdict from the jury.

Shabazz was taken into custody, apparently convicted of stealing $121,000 from the Bank of Bermuda, and facing a probable jail sentence.

But it is believed jurors have been told to return to court this morning, following a misunderstanding over their verdict.

It is understood they will be asked to clear up whether their decision was unanimous or reached by a majority.

The three-man, nine-woman jury took three hours to reach a verdict. They twice returned to the courtroom to ask Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ground to go over the complex points they had to decide.

Shabazz, 44, of Ord Road, Warwick, denied stealing the cash while an assistant manager at the bank.

The trial heard he was lent $310,000 by the bank in 1988, to bring his debts under control. It was paid into his current account.

One of the reasons for the loan, bank officials told the court, was to pay off his mortgage of about $141,000. But more than two years later they discovered only $20,000 of the loan had been paid on the mortgage.

Mr. Justice Ground told the jury there were three steps involved if they were to find Shabazz guilty.

Firstly, they had to decide that he received a direction that part of the loan was for paying off the mortgage.

Then, they had to decide he took the cash with the intention of spending it as he liked.

Finally, they had to decide he did not have a genuine belief that the money was his, to use as he wished.

Before a question mark was raised over the jury's verdict, the judge ruled Shabazz should be in custody until a social inquiry report was prepared. A jail sentence is highly likely, the judge said.

Shabazz faces other court proceedings, which will be brought up at the next Supreme Court arraignment session.