A recovering drug addict stole a man's chequebook while he was in hospital and used it to buy $800-worth of groceries.

Schai Govia, 38, admitted to the scam when he appeared at Magistrates' Court, saying he committed the crime because he had fallen on hard times.

Prosecutor Maria Sofianos told the court the victim, Shirlan Harris, of Middle Road, Southampton, was being treated for a serious medical condition when his chequebook went missing from his home in Middle Road, Southampton.

Mr. Harris, 52, discovered it was gone when he got home, and also noticed six unauthorised transactions on his account totalling $800 during September 2009.

There was no sign of a break-in and Police concluded that the thief must have had a key to the property.

The cheques were found to have been cashed by Govia, whose mother was Mr. Harris' landlady.

He was subsequently arrested for burglary and admitted using the cheques at the Heron Bay MarketPlace superstore and the A1 superstore in Paget to obtain groceries and cash.

However, Ms Sofianos said Govia was adamant that he found the chequebook on the patio steps and did not break into the home.

He pleaded guilty to 12 charges of making and using false cheques and using them to obtain cash by deception.

However, he denied stealing the chequebook and also denied an alternative charge of dishonestly receiving it.

The prosecutor offered no evidence on those charges.

Govia, also of Middle Road, Southampton, told the Police he was remorseful, having committed the crime during a difficult period in his life.

He said he'd suffered a "crisis of conscience" and burned the stolen chequebook.

Ms Sofianos told the court he has numerous previous convictions dating back 13 years for burglary, stealing, forging and uttering false cheques and attempting to defraud.

Duty defence lawyer Larry Mussenden told the court Govia's previous offences were the result of "drug issues" he'd had in the past, but he's been leading a "productive life" since the latest incident.

Govia apologised for his actions, saying he'd repaid Mr. Harris.

He explained he committed the offence because he was self-employed but out of work and he wanted to help his mother buy food.

He asked Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo to show forgiveness so he can continue in a new job. "All I can ask for is forgiveness. It's up to you and God right now. I was doing good all this time. I don't want to go backwards," he urged.

Mr. Tokunbo handed him a 12-month probation order, with the condition that he provides proof he's repaid the victim.