a 19-year-old Sandys Parish man who admitted in Magistrates' Court to stealing from his mother.

Nicholas W. Harney, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to forging and uttering cheques under false pretences.

Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, told the court that between May 17 and June 3 Harney stole five cheques from his mother, Patricia Harney.

"Harney gave one of the cheques to another person, who entered the Bank of Bermuda on Front Street and received $505 in cash,'' said Insp. Duffy.

"Harney took another cheque into the Somerset branch of the Bank of Bermuda where he convinced the teller that it was genuine. He then received $720.

"A bank official later alerted Ms. Harney about her cheques.'' Insp. Duffy said Police arrested Harney at his house on June 18.

"He admitted stealing the cheques from his mother's purse and said that he used the money to pay back a debt to another person for a drug transaction,'' added Insp. Duffy.

There are a total of nine charges against Harney for forging three other cheques.

Mr. Edness, appearing as a friend of the family, said: "Nicholas Harney is 19 years old and these are very serious charges. There is no question that he should be incarcerated. However, I am convinced that the programme that I organised can benefit him.

"He is diligently looking for a job and there seems to be good prospects.

"Efforts have already been made to repair the relationship with his mother which is a major aspect of his rehabilitation.

"We will do everything we can to reform him and we will inform the court of his progress.'' Duty Counsel Mr. Peter Farge said Harney was "anxious to stay out of jail'' and wanted to repay his mother.

Magistrate the Wor. John Judge said: "This young man is the victim of the drug scourge. Because of drugs he was prepared to betray the person that gave him life.'' He released Harney on $2,500 bail until a social inquiry report is completed on August 24.