support himself.

This was revealed when Lorenzo Robinson, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty yesterday in Magistrates' Court to attempting to rob two Americans while armed with a knife on February 26.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said two men from New Jersey had just parked their cycles at Gate's Fort in St. George's when Robinson, armed with a knife approached them and said: "Let's make this simple.'' The men told Robinson that they did not have any money on them, but Robinson insisted they "empty their pockets''.

Upon seeing that the pair had no money, Robinson, who turns 17-years-old today, left empty handed.

The visitors reported the incident to St. George's Police and Robinson was later arrested when he was spotted walking along Cut Road.

Sgt. Taylor said Robinson admitted committing the offence and expressed remorse to Police for his actions.

Robinson told Police that the family he was staying with left the Island for three months on February 18, Sgt. Taylor said. And Robinson could not stay at the house alone while the family -- who were not identified -- was abroad.

"He was staying in the pump room of the house and had no means of supporting himself,'' Sgt. Taylor informed the court.

Robinson told Police that he borrowed a hooded sweat shirt, took a knife from a friend's house and went to a fort, looking for some visitors to rob.

Sgt. Taylor said Robinson saw two couples while hiding among the ruins of the fort, but "could not work up the nerve'' to rob them because he was scared.

After attempting to rob the American men, Robinson threw the knife in the water and returned the sweat shirt to his friend.

Sgt. Taylor said Robinson left Berkeley Institute when he was 15-years-old and when Police contacted both Robinson's mother and grandmother they complained that his behaviour was "uncontrollable''.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis ordered a social inquiry report on Robinson.

The case was adjourned until March 31 and Robinson was remanded in custody at the Co-ed Facility in St. George's.