truck driver who pleaded guilty to a series of petty cash thefts.

Magistrate Cheryl Ann Mapp heard that between November 20-25 Mervin Curtis visited a friend who was working at the Telco office building on Victoria Street in Hamilton.

While there Curtis wandered off on his own, taking the elevator to explore other floors. In the process he illegally entered two offices where he helped himself to small quantities of cash from desk drawers. Curtis was subsequently questioned by Police where he admitted to three similar thefts.

Curtis -- represented by counsel Elizabeth Christopher -- pleaded not guilty to a host of unrelated charges, including fraud, intent to defraud, making false documents, and theft of a Bank of Butterfield cheque in the amount of $210.

Curtis, who has a past record of theft charges, was unable to explain his actions when queried by the Magistrate.

"Mr. Curtis what's this all about? You're going to visit your friends and you're stealing from the people they work with? What's the problem? It's not like this is any get-rich-quick scheme here because we're only talking about $65 or so,'' said Ms Mapp.

"It's a serious mistake; it was done on behalf of a female,'' replied Curtis.

"There's a female involved? What does she have to do with this?'' demanded Ms Mapp. Curtis was unable to reply.

He was bailed on $1,000 for the first series of charges and $500 for the fraud charges and instructed to return to plea court tomorrow.