$450 in cash and groceries by forging stolen cheques.

Lionel Furbert, of Radnor Road, Hamilton Parish, pleaded guilty to stealing 50 Bank of Bermuda cheques and forging the owner's signature on two before he cashed them at the Shelly Bay MarketPlace.

Sgt. Peter Giles, prosecuting, said on September 28, 1991, the complainant reported her handbag, containing her chequebook, was stolen from Shelly Bay Beach in the early morning hours.

On September 30, Furbert told Police he found the cheque book while walking his dog on Shelly Bay playing field on September 28. It was later discovered he used the cheques to purchase groceries and get cash.

When interviewed by Police, Furbert said he removed the two cheques and destroyed the rest, but insisted he found the handbag.

Sgt. Giles said Furbert has a history of similar offences dating back to 1987.

Most recently, Sgt. Giles said, Furbert received a six-month suspended prison sentence after he was convicted of stealing from the MarketPlace on August 12.

"This is far from being your first conviction for dishonesty,'' Magistrate the Wor. John Judge told Furbert. "You seem to be a menace to residents in the area of Shelly Bay.'' Mr. Judge sentenced Furbert to prison for three months for stealing the 50 cheques and for forging and uttering the first cheque of $275 from the MarketPlace by pretending it was a good and valid cheque.

He also sentenced him to an additional three months for committing the same offences with the second cheque.

Mr. Judge also activated Furbert's six-month suspended prison sentence but allowed the two to run concurrently in light of his guilty plea.

"You really have to get a grip on yourself,'' he told Furbert. "If you come before me again for a case of dishonesty, I'll have to send you to Supreme Court.''