Devonshire man nine-months imprisonment.

Kingsley Freedom Campbell, 30, of Hermitage Road, was sentenced by Senior Magistrate Will Francis yesterday after he heard the construction worker stole a parked Peugeot cycle on September 14 and stole a handbag from American tourists on September 25.

Campbell begged Mr. Francis to sentence him to probation and not prison, saying he committed the crimes because his "back was against the wall'' and he needed the money to pay his rent.

But Mr. Francis was unmoved, saying: "This is very, very serious. Motorcycle stealing is bad enough. But to take the same cycle and ride up along side visitors and take their bag?'' "As I see it this is very, very bad,'' Mr. Francis added.

Junior Crown counsel Veronica Daley told Mr. Francis that Campbell admitted stealing Evelyn Gentleman's cycle from a parking lot on Brunswick Street.

The $2,948 cycle -- registration number AN418 -- contained a helmet, Ray Ban sunglasses, and a pair of Docksider shoes.

Campbell also admitted to Police he rode beside Richard and Iris Lewis' rented cycle at 10.20 a.m. on Saturday as they were travelling west on Middle Road, Sandys Parish.

Mrs. Daley added the couple were able to get the licence number of the cycle and a description of the rider which they provided to Police.

Campbell was arrested later that night while riding the cycle on Middle Road, Warwick.

He told Police: "The bike is not stolen. I have the keys.'' Campbell assisted Police in recovering all of the stolen items, including a rain jacket and Olympus camera.

He has two convictions for stealing for which he was once fined $250 and given an absolute discharge.

"I didn't know how to ask for help when I did this,'' he told Mr. Francis.

"I fell short on my rent money. This is not my human nature.'' CURSING AT TRAFFIC WARDEN COSTS MAN $250 CTS Cursing at traffic warden costs man $250 A Magistrate yesterday fined a Sandys Parish man $250 for cursing a traffic warden who was warning him about where he should park.

Terrance Nicolas Thomas pleaded guilty before Senior Magistrate Will Francis yesterday to using offensive words.

The court heard that Thomas gave the warden a piece of his mind last June when she told him about parking against the flow of traffic on Union Street, in Pembroke.

Junior Crown counsel Veronica Daley said when the woman suggested he move on, Thomas, 27, of Cricket Lane, shouted: "F**k you!'' When he was asked to repeat what he said, Thomas added: "You heard me. You f**king b***h. F**k off. Just f**k off.'' And when the warden called for assistance, Thomas said "you can call who the f**k you want,'' before driving off.

Bystanders encouraged the warden to report the incident.

Thomas told Mr. Francis yesterday: "I only cursed her because she cursed me.

She did more than her job. It's a Somerset lady and we're members of the same club.'' ALLEGED STALKER SSAILANT REMANDED CTS Alleged stalker/assailant remanded A 29-year-old Pembroke man will be tried next month on charges he sexually assaulted and stalked his girlfriend.

The man -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- was remanded in custody by Senior Magistrate Will Francis yesterday afternoon after a half-hour bail hearing.

Mr. Francis told the man: "I have heard the prosecution and your lawyer Mr.

(Peter) Farge. There appear to be strong charges against you and I remand you in custody.'' The man pleaded not guilty in the morning plea court session to charges of breaking and entering the woman's home and sexually assaulting her on September 23. He also denied stalking the woman between August 10 and September 23. Mr. Francis ordered a trial for October 22.