Impaired man followed Police to help drunk friend who had been arrested

A Pembroke man who claimed he was going to the aid of his drunk friend was arrested after Police suspected he was drink-driving as well.

Armindo Ferreira, 24, of Parsons Road, pleaded guilty to one charge of driving while impaired in Magistrates' Court.

The court heard from Crown counsel Robert Welling, that officers were on duty at the junction of Front Street and King Street on June 14 when they arrested a member of the public on suspicion of impaired driving.

Ferreira came up to the officers, as a friend of the man they were arresting, and began to follow behind the Police vehicle to the Hamilton Police Station.

Officers noticed he was swerving all over the road and riding erratically. At the Police station, officers asked him if was ill or on medication as he was unsteady on his feet. They requested identification but the 24-year-old said he didn't have any.

Ferreira's speech was slurred, his eyes red and his breath smelled strongly of alcohol. He was taken to the alco-analyser room to provide samples of his breath but repeatedly failed and was formally charged for driving while impaired.

Ferreira explained to the court he had received a call from his friend who had borrowed his bike. The friend told him he was in no condition to ride the bike so he came into Hamilton to help him out.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined him $1,000, gave him a one year driving ban and ten demerit points.

Police probe car vandalism

Vandals have struck again with more than 17 cars damaged over the past two weeks.

Two cars near Kings Gate, Pembroke, were reported to have damage to their windows this week. Nothing was taken from either vehicle.

The incidents usually take place in the early hours of the morning and residents are being urged to call Police if they see anything suspicious.

According to the Police, the vandalism has been occurring on a regular basis. Over the last two weeks vehicles have been damaged at Verdmont Valley Drive, Smith's, and Happy Valley Road and Shelton Road in Pembroke.

Those leaving the Island for extended periods of time are asked to take appropriate precautions. Police advise the following:

— Communicate with a family friend or neighbour and have them check property on a regular basis.

— Have all evidence that the property is vacant removed, e.g. mail and newspapers. Arrange with post office to have your mail held until you return.

— Secure all windows and doors.

— Ensure indoor and or outdoor lights are set on an automatic timer.

— If you can, arrange for a house sit.

— If possible engage the services of a security company.

For more information contact Crime Prevention on 295-0011.

Impaired drivers banned

Two men were banned from driving on Bermuda's roads yesterday after being caught drinking and driving.

Devonshire resident Carlton Darrell, 25, admitted that on June 14 his ability to drive was impaired by alcohol or a drug. The Court heard that at 3.40 a.m. on the day in question, Darrell was seen driving a car and drifting across both the east and west-bound lanes on Front Street.

He was stopped and cautioned by Police, and officers noticed that Darrell was also unsteady on his feet and smelled strongly of intoxicants.

Antoine Seymore, 30, of West Side Road, Sandys also pleaded guilty to impaired driving, after he was spotted travelling west near Warwick Long Bay and swerving his vehicle over the centre line on June 14.

Seymore apologised to Magistrates' Court for his actions and pleaded with the judge to let him keep his licence. "My driver's licence is my bread and butter (and) I have a child on the way," he said.

However, Senior Magistrate disqualified both men from driving for 12 months, handed them each a $1,000 fine and deducted ten demerit points from their licences.

Teen loses licence for riding charges

A 19-year-old girl had her licence taken away by a court yesterday after committing several road traffic offences.

Candiss Steede of North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish, admitted to speeding at 63km while riding her motorcycle East on Middle Road in Devonshire, near Saltus Grammar School, on February 13.

Steede didn't have a valid drivers' licence on the day in question, and also lied to Police about her identity.

For speeding, Steede was fined $250, in addition to six demerit points; for not having a licence she was fined $100 and given seven demerit points; and for providing incorrect details she was fined $300.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner explained to Steede that the 13 demerit points she racked up meant she was disqualified from all vehicles for 12 months. Steede will also have to pay the fines within a month's time.