chance'' this week when Supreme Court Justice Richard Ground imposed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for one year.

William Eugene Oral Robinson, of no fixed abode, was charged with five counts of issuing false statements and five counts of failure to surrender foreign currency to proper agencies after his arrest in July.

Crown counsel Ms Sharon Kenney told the court that Robinson obtained almost $15,000 in US currency between November 11, 1991 and February 8, 1992. On each of his trips to Hamilton banks, he obtained the maximum amount allowed by law, BDA$3,000.

Robinson also stated on his Bermuda Monetary Authority forms that he was planning a trip to New York, which he never took.

The addresses and telephone numbers Robinson used on the forms were also false.

His previous convictions were read out in court, but it was noted he had not been in trouble with the law "for quite some time'' until these incidents.

Robinson, who was not represented by legal counsel, said: "I am sorry for what I did. I was caught up in a situation. I have learned my lesson, and I would just like another chance.''