inquiry reports on a 35-year-old man who said he stole a woman's handbag because he was hungry.

Steven Mills, who lives at the Salvation Army shelter, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to stealing a handbag valued at $100 from Maria Pacheco of Devonshire.

Prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette said Ms Pacheco parked her car -- containing her handbag -- at Parsons Road, near the Salvation Army shelter, on July 20.

Mills saw the bag while the car was unattended and reached in through the car window and stole the bag.

Sgt. Mouchette said Mills ran to the Pembroke Dump where he removed $20 from the purse to buy some food.

But Mills told the court: "It'll never happen again. I was hungry.'' Duty counsel Renee Foggo requested a psychiatric report, citing the fact that Mills was on medication for a psychological problem.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis remanded Mills in custody for a psychiatric and social inquiry report which are expected to be completed on October 16.