Man faces trial for offences against police officer

A 29-year-old man with 56 demerit points was today allowed to continue to drive on Bermuda’s roads.

Nestah Woods appeared in court this morning charged with a slew of offences against a police officer.

He pleaded not guilty to obstructing Police Sergeant Paynter, violently resisting arrest and willfully causing $2,000 damage to a police radio.

Mr Woods was also charged with no driver’s license on March 20.

He pleaded guilty and was given a $100 fine and seven demerit points.

Crown Counsel Geoffrey Faiella told the court the defendant had 49 points plus the seven given to him today.

He has six convictions for no driver’s license plus the one for today.

Three of those convictions are from this year.

A defendant is usually taken off the road after 12 points, at the discretion of the magistrate.

Charles Richardson represented Mr Woods and said his client was self-employed and needed his transportation to work.

Senior Magistrate Warner said: “It’s ridiculous that a self-employed person whose submission that he needs his vehicle to make a living hasn’t got the smarts to get a license, having committed seven offences for the same thing.”

Mr Richardson asked for leniency for this client because he had never been to court for the offences.

Mr Warner agreed and said Mr Woods had never been before the court and warned about committing such offences.

He was given until April 28 to pay the fine.

The defendant will face trial in June for the other offences.