A man appeared in court on his 30th birthday for stealing and forging a cheque from his employer.

Dimetri Robinson, of Khyber Pass, Warwick, pleaded guilty to four charges of theft from his employer, McDonald Stovell of Montuck Enterprises, where he was employed as a plumber.

The court heard from Crown counsel Paula Tyndale that on August 21, Mr. Stovell noticed the interior of his car was in disarray.

At the time, he paid no attention to it but later received a phone call from a Bank of Butterfield representative that Robinson had attempted to cash a cheque for $950.

On August 31, Robinson entered the bank of Bermuda having forged his name on a cheque from Montuck Enterprises for the amount of $950. The teller noticed that the cheque wasn't signed and informed Robinson. He said he would take the cheque to get signed and returned 15 minutes later with it signed.

As a normal procedure, the teller asked Robinson for identification, which Robinson was unable to produce. The teller then attempted to call Mr. Stovell to verify the cheque. Robinson then became aggressive and began to yell at the teller ordering her to give him back the cheque.

On a later date, Robinson was questioned at Hamilton Police Station for another matter when the theft charges were brought before him.

Robinson has previous convictions of similar matters which date back to 1993.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner asked Robinson if he had anything to say about the matter.

"I was wrong for doing this but I wasn't paid for several days and my rent was due," said Robinson.

Mr. Warner asked Robinson if he had asked Mr. Stovell about the pay and Robinson said that he had but was told him to come back in a month's time.

"I spoke to him and told him I was sorry for what I did," he added.

"I told him I am even willing to pay him back or cut his grass, whatever," said Robinson.

Robinson currently works as a landscaper. A social inquiry report was ordered and bail was set at $2000 plus one surety.

The matter was adjourned for sentencing to February 21.