refused by Magistrates' Court.

Chris Martin Anderson, 16, of Privateer Lane, Warwick, was given two years probation after stolen bike parts worth thousands of dollars were found in his home.

The student had pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court earlier this week to stealing an auxiliary cycle worth $1,775 from George Rushe between September 19 and October 13, last year.

Anderson also admitted stealing an auxiliary cycle worth the same amount from Tyrone Phillips between September 30 and October 30. And he asked that another cycle theft be taken into consideration.

When Police searched Anderson's house at 6.30 a.m. on October 13 they found stolen bike parts in his bedroom and in the cellar.

Anderson was taken to Hamilton Police Station where he told Police he stole Rushe's cycle from Whaler Inn, Southampton.

He also said he stole Phillips's cycle from White & Sons supermarket and the third cycle from Elbow Beach hotel.

Magistrate the Wor. John Judge, read a social inquiry report about Anderson, who had no previous convictions, before sentencing him to probation. Mr. Judge said: "Your attitude towards other people's property seems to be if you want it, you just take it.

"If you were much older I would have given you a sentence of corrective training.'' Local businessman Rushe was in court seeking compensation. At an earlier hearing Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis asked that probation officers work out a plan by which Anderson could pay back Rushe and Phillips.

Rushe asked Mr. Judge about compensation. Mr. Judge said: "The problem is that you have already been recompensed by the insurance company. You may sue him but there's little point because it would be like getting blood out of a stone because he has no means.

"This is not the right time to ask for compensation and there is a limit to what you can get in this court.'' After the case Rushe discussed the matter with Anderson and his mother, but said: "If I sued for the compensation it would really mean suing his mother and it is not her fault. I will have to see.''