his examinations.

Fifth former Qllin Pearman admitted charges of fraudulent use of a licence, no insurance and driving an 80cc motorcycle under age.

But Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis was able to persuade Pearman to plead not guilty and stand trial for the offences in June.

Pearman, 17, of Store Lane, Sandys, claimed he had only had the bike for two weeks and did not realise it was not 50cc.

He said that the previous owner had taken it through the Transport Control Department. He said: "I got it licensed and insured as a 50cc vehicle.'' Prosecuting Sgt. Rex Osborne said the bike was registered as 50cc and admitted he could not say what had happened at TCD.

Mr. Francis said: "It seems somebody souped it up. Pearman says he is not one of those youngsters that can tell that his bike has a lot more power.

"There have certainly been cases of people who say they have borrowed a bike and not realised the insurance is invalid.

"Certainly from what the defendant has said the fraudulent use of the licence does not warrant a guilty plea.'' Pearman said: "I do not wish this to go to trial because I have school work.

I would like to get it out of the way.'' He is hoping to go to Bermuda College. Explaining his predicament, he said: "I am small. I get picked over by everyone.'' Stating that he needed to hear some evidence on the matter, Mr. Francis said: "Don't be too anxious to get yourself a criminal record for a serious traffic offence in order to just get the thing out of the way.

"You are anxious about your GCE's but I do not want you to go out of here with a conviction you should not have.

"You are intelligent enough to tell your story here. You should be thinking soberly about this.'' Mr. Francis set a court date for June.

The Senior Magistrate was in a particularly helpful mood during yesterday's plea court offering another man a geography lesson.

A defendant told Mr. Francis that he had no idea where Trimingham Road was despite living in Bermuda for 27 years. When asked where Foot of the Lane was, he said: "Which lane?'' Mr. Francis proceeded to "educate'' the man in geography before looking at his case.