A man who pleaded guilty to 11 counts of cheque fraud was given three years probation yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Michael Lima, 31, of Sandys, appeared for sentencing after a social inquiry report had been prepared.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves asked Lima if he had begun to pay back the $3,000 he stole, to which he replied 'no'.

Mr. Greaves asked: "When will the money be paid back?"

Lima said that he would be able to pay it back in three months because he was self-employed and the job he was currently working on - painting the Oxford Guest House - would only pay him and his five workers $7,000. But Mr Greaves said: "It's just not good enough."

He then stipulated that $250 a week should be paid by Lima to the court.

Lima pleaded that he had been clean of drugs for seven years.

But Mr. Greaves said: "Whatever you say. Surely you can pay. These fellows in construction are out here being paid between $45 to $80 an hour and $18 if you are only a labourer."

Lima said that he was trying to catch up on all of his old bills and responsibilities.

But the magistrate said that Lima had a job and the court was not there to placate offenders.

"I believe that a man should not profit from his crime," said Mr. Greaves.

"I remind you that if you do not adhere to the conditions, I am going to send you to jail."

Mr. Greaves ordered Lima to pay back the $3,000 at $250 a week beginning May 30 and to comply with all of his Probation officers' requests, which included random drug testing.