after stealing a livery cycle.

Jevon Reid Daniels, of Rosehill Road, Sandys Parish, picked up the $1,500 rental bike belonging to Oleander Cycles outside the Perot Post Office on Queen Street, Hamilton in August.

But he was later questioned by Police after they spotted him parking the bike on South Road in Devonshire.

Daniels pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Will Francis in September but sentencing was delayed to allow probation workers to prepare a social inquiry report.

And yesterday Mr. Francis warned the 17-year-old that, if he continued behaving unlawfully, he would end up in prison.

"Do you realise that you are already heading in a direction that could result in you being incarcerated?'' Mr. Francis asked.

Daniels, who was already on probation when he stole the bike, replied that there was no excuse for what he had done and that he was now back in school and also taking part in an after-school arts programme.

But Mr. Francis said: "I think there are some other things that we may want to try with you.

"I am a firm believer that a bit of hard work is very good for you -- have you ever done any really hard work in your life? "You may not be able to pay back the $1,500 to Oleander but you still need to pay back the community. This is a very serious offence for someone who is already on probation. But I think that as a result of this you should be able to put all this behind you and move forward by this time next year.'' Daniels will spend his time carrying out gardening work at a Devonshire playground.