back the bike Police had seized from him.

Police had confiscated the $1,400 Yamaha because they thought it had oversized parts on it.

But Robinson went to the Police compound and recovered the bike, which belonged to his cousin.

Legally, the bike was the property of Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards.

And yesterday Robinson, of Hillview, Warwick, was given a six months conditional discharge for theft.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis meted out the sentence after considering a social inquiry report.

Robinson, a Southampton Princess waiter, had admitted theft.

The prosecution offered no evidence on a charge Robinson received the bike.

Magistrates' Court heard Robinson was spotted by Police riding a bike on Middle Road, Southampton, shortly after 2.30 a.m. on April 25.

He was stopped and the bike taken to Police headquarters at Prospect. About 10 a.m. the next day, Police discovered the Yamaha was missing. Robinson was later arrested on suspicion of stealing the motorcycle.

In most circumstances it would appear to be perfectly alright to take back one's property when it has been taken away -- unless it was taken by Police.

A 20-year-old Southampton man learned this lesson the hard way when he was given a conditional discharge for six months in Magistrates' Court.

Seitu Okane Ford pleaded guilty to taking his Suzuki 100 from the Police compound on June 14.

"The bike was mine I don't know how you can call that stealing,'' Ford said.

Sgt. Earl Kirby prosecuting, told the court Ford's cycle was seized June 11 from the Esso gas station where he works.

Ford then went to the Police headquarters the following Monday and entered the yard and took the cycle. It was unlocked in the yard.

He took it to TCD where he changed the registration number from V 550 to AD 632.

He then took it to a friend's house in Southampton but was arrested on his way back to work.

When he was arrested he denied knowing where his motorcycle was. Duty Counsel Karen Williams-Smith asked Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis for leniency because of his age, and also because he has no previous convictions.