A man who admitted stealing three cartons of cigarettes from The Village Cafe in Sandys told Magistrates' Court he was "led by temptation".

Jean Marks-Rouget, 44, of Bridge View Lane, Sandys, admitted entering the restaurant, on Mangrove Bay, on October 2 and stealing the cigarettes, valued at $180.

In court yesterday he apologised to Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner for the crime and said: "It was temptation. I saw the window was wide open and the cigarettes were right there. It was temptation, I wasn't thinking properly."

According to Crown counsel Maria Sofianos an employee arrived at the property around 8.15 p.m. on October 2, to find a window on the back door was open and a window latch had been broken.

The employee, who secured the property earlier that day around 5.45 p.m., called the restaurant owner to explain the situation.

The next day at about 8 a.m. Marks-Rouget, a regular customer, approached The Village Cafe owner and apologised for taking the cigarette cartons. He also promised to make it up to her.

She reported the theft and Marks-Rouget was later arrested and taken to Somerset Police Station for questioning.

He told Police: "I already said I was sorry for taking the cigarettes".

Then he confessed to opening the front window and taking the items. He also said he sold the cigarette cartons to a taxi driver for $100, nearly half the selling price.

Marks-Rouget will appear before Mr. Warner for sentencing on November 3.