on its golf course, Police said yesterday.

The Southampton Princess Hotel recovered the handbag yesterday morning after pumping out the pond near the second hole, general manager Mr. Manfred Timmel said.

Identification and jewellery was recovered, while the cash was missing. The handbag was stolen recently from an American visitor who was staying nearby at the Sonesta Beach Hotel.

The thief admitted to Police he threw the purse in the pond while fleeing the crime scene, Sgt. Roseanda Jones of Police Community and Media Relations said.

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Police were thrilled with the hotel's co-operation, which she described as "fantastic''.

"It was a pleasure to be of assistance,'' Mr. Timmel said, adding that workers spent all day Monday draining the pond.

The hotel took advantage of the opportunity to retrieve some errant golf balls, he said.

The visitor has left the Island, but the handbag is to be returned. Calvin Hendrickson, 34, of Crown Hill, received a $300 fine and a suspended prison sentence for theft in Magistrates' Court.