A guest worker who claims to have turned to shoplifting after being fired has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Edward Watt, 38, a British national currently living in Long Bay, Sandys, admitted theft when he appeared at Magistrates' Court.

According to Senior Crown Counsel Carrington Mahoney, he took two shirts into the changing room at Mambo, Reid Street, Hamilton, on March 17. He was observed by staff to place only one back on the rack and leave with the other, worth $203.

On March 20, Watt returned to the store to collect some keys he left in the changing room. At this point, he was detained by staff until the Police arrived. When he was searched, he was found to have brand new Windows Vista software worth $235 and a Logitech mouse worth $85 with him.

Inquiries established that these were missing from the Complete Office store, also located on Reid Street.

Police searched Watt's home later that day and recovered the black short-sleeve shirt taken from Mambo. He admitted to that theft, and also to stealing from the Complete Office.

Mr. Mahoney told the court that the defendant is in Bermuda on a work permit, but has recently seen his employment at the Salt Rock Grill, Somerset, terminated.

Watt said he is involved in an industrial tribunal with his former employer, who he claimed owes him $4,500, and cannot get another job because he does not have a letter of release from Salt Rock Grill.

"I haven't eaten in a week," he complained, telling the court he is having to catch food to eat and cannot afford to pay maintenance for his son. Watt went on to explain that he stole the items with a view to selling them.

"I know I shouldn't have done it, but I was trying to survive as best I could. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place," he said. "I can't afford to fly home because my employer is refusing to repatriate me. I was stuck and I didn't know what to do."

He spent five days on remand in prison.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo sentenced Watt to 45 days in jail on each count, but suspended the sentences for six months — warning him to stay out of trouble if he remains in Bermuda.