A 61-year-old Sandys man, with more than a dozen previous convictions for stealing, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to stealing a wallet from an 89-year-old volunteer worker.

Sinclair Fox, was caught by security cameras stealing a wallet, containing $140, from an elderly lady who was volunteering at the Trustworthy shop, on Front Street.

Crown counsel Maria Sofianos told the court that on March 6, Sinclair entered the shop and started talking to the lady. Shortly after, the complainant left her purse unattended at her desk. When she returned she was unable to find her wallet.

CCTV footage from the shop's security cameras were later reviewed and the film revealed Sinclair removing the lady's wallet from her purse.

Fox, who is already serving an 18-month suspended sentence for stealing jewellery from a store on Front Street, had his suspended sentence activated and an additional 18 months added. Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner ordered the sentences to run concurrently.

Mr. Warner read out a list of more than a dozen convictions dating back to 1998 for Fox, whose record shows convictions for forgery, theft and drug possession and a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for stealing an 18 carat gold ring from a Front Street jewellery store.

"What makes you think that you can come to town and steal people's things?" asked Mr. Warner. "For years now you have been doing this foolishness. You have had all kinds of chances."

Fox replied: "I haven't been in trouble for almost a year, sir. I have been doing good but I was drinking that day."

'I don't think I can do anything else for you," concluded Mr. Warner.