Court was told on Friday.

Bernell John Jefferies, 19, of West Avenue, pleaded guilty to stealing a Bank of Bermuda cheque, forging the cheque in the amount of $1,170, uttering the forged cheque, and obtaining money by false pretences.

Magistrate the Wor. John Judge said Jefferies appeared to enjoy living "high on the hog.'' He asked for a social inquiry report and adjourned the case until March 12.

Prosecutor Sgt. Ken James said Jefferies was eating dinner at Portofino Restaurant on January 9 when he stole the cheque from a jacket that was hung near the men's room.

He forged the cheque and deposited the money, but withdrew the funds a short time later.

Jefferies, who is self-employed, used the money to pay bills and "spend several nights out on the town'', he said.

But through duty counsel, Jefferies said he used $975 to pay court fines and some of the remaining money to pay other bills. He has since repaid $570 of the money he obtained by fraud, court was told.