A Pembroke man who stole over $6,000 from his landlady - and then used part of that money to pay his rent - was given a suspended sentence yesterday.

John O'Donald Fox, 31, of Mission Lane, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to nine related counts of stealing the cheques, uttering, forging and inducing employees of Bank of Butterfield and Bermuda Financial Network to cash the stolen cheques between September 1 and October 11 last year.

Fox also asked that another 15 counts be taken into consideration. Fox must pay the bank restitution. Magistrate Will Francis handed down a four month prison sentence but suspended it for two years.

Defence counsel Victoria Pearman told the court that Fox had stolen the cheques to pay bills. Fox also used some of the cheques to pay rent to his landlady from whom he had stolen the cheques.

Ms Pearman said: "Mr. Fox is having his wages garnished to pay the Bank of Butterfield back the stolen funds. He understands this is a very serious matter and is aware of the gravity of it."

In his Police statement he said he was financially unstable, and he felt less of a man because he couldn't support his family. It was noted that he had used his landlady's telephone once or twice and also fixed her cable and on those occasions he stole the blank cheques, but is not sure how many were taken.

He told the Police that he planned to pay back "every penny" of it. The court heard that he has paid back $1,300 so far.

"He is remorseful of his actions," said Ms Pearman.

At the time of committing the crimes he was out of work for almost two years and he would do hustles from time to time and was around $10,000 in debt.

Ms Pearman said: "It seems he has now found his feet. He is also receiving employee assistance on his job."

Fox said: "I did make a mistake. My landlady had been so kind to me and she did not deserve this and I took advantage of her.

"I'm sorry, but I'd like an opportunity to make things better."