In Magistrates' Court yesterday, Joseph M. Lima of Hartle Drive admitted stealing a gold chain, taking and driving away a vehicle belonging to Manual DaCosta, and driving a motor vehicle while his ability to drive was impaired by alcohol.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Earl Kirby told the court that on December 23 at 10.55 a.m. DaCosta parked his truck along Gorham Road in Pembroke, leaving his keys inside, and went into the Woodbourne Chemist.

"When he came outside, he saw a man driving off in his vehicle and called the Police,'' Sgt. Kirby said.

He added that at 2.10 a.m. on December 23, Lima, concerned with another person, went to Dockyard and offered a ride to Filipino national Jesus Pacheco who worked aboard the Sir Eric Sharpe .

"Because Pacheco knew Lima, he agreed to take a ride,'' Sgt. Kirby said.

He added that while they were driving along Malabar Road Lima pulled the truck over and told the other person in the truck to take off Pacheco's 18k gold chain.

"After doing so Lima ordered Pacheco to get out of the truck. He then drove off,'' Sgt Kirby said.

And at 10.10 p.m. on the same day Lima was pulled over by Police on Pender Road in Sandys after they saw him swerving along the road.

"Officers noticed that his breath smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred,'' Sgt. Kirby said.

Lima confessed to stealing the gold chain and taking the truck. He also said that he, the other man in the truck, and Pacheco, had all been intoxicated at the time.

He also told Police that he had exchanged the gold chain for a rock of cocaine in Middletown.

Acting Magistrate the Wor. Edward King sentenced Lima to six months in prison for stealing the chain, fined him $400 for taking the vehicle and $500 for driving while impaired. He also disqualified him from driving for three years.