outcome of a Treatment of Offenders Board review of his case after he pleaded guilty to theft and attempted theft.

Andre Anthony Tucker, of Seawall Drive, admitted he entered offices, under the ploy of looking for work, with the intent to steal.

On April 20 a Meyer Travel employee noticed her black handbag, containing $40 cash, cheques and various other personal items, was missing from her office in Hamilton.

Her fellow employees said they saw a young man fitting Tucker's description by the desk where her handbag was and had not seen it since.

A similar incident occurred in the offices of Bermuda Restaurant Limited on May 1.

An employee reported seeing Tucker enter the office across from hers and search a desk with a Bank on NT Butterfield deposit bag on it.

The deposit bag contained $24,423.33 in cash and cheques which was that day's take from three different restaurants the company owned.

She saw Tucker place his hand on the bag then remove it when he saw her watching him.

The employee asked Tucker what he was doing in the office and he said he was looking for work. She asked him to leave.

Tucker was picked up by Police later and during questioning admitted taking the handbag, removing $40 from it and ditching it. He also admitted attempting to steal the bank deposit bag.

Tucker was on probation when the offences occurred after serving a three-year corrective training sentence.

Last week his probation officer told the court that he had reported to her sporadically at best.

"We were unaware of his whereabouts until this week,'' she said. "I was going to recommend to the board that he be returned to corrective treatment in two weeks.'' Tucker asked that three other matters of a similar nature be taken into account.

He said: "I realise that I did some crimes. At that time I was going through some trouble until someone stopped me and was willing to help me.

"I am willing to pay the money back to these people.'' Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner told Tucker that when he was released on probation he was referred to a probation officer and she was supposed to be his support system.

A woman who had taken Tucker in two weeks ago asked to address the court.

"My name is Debbie Bean and I have got to know Andre in the last two weeks.

"I took him in. I want to see him get some form of help and I am willing to stand behind him. Hopefully he can turn his life around.'' Mr. Warner said he had listened very carefully to her but did not think he could take the chance of releasing Tucker into her custody.

Sentencing was adjourned until June 6, pending the order of the Treatment of Offenders Board. Tucker was remanded in custody.