A man with a history of dishonesty charges was jailed for six months in Magistrates? Court last week.

Jeremy Whitecross, 27, of Middle Park Lane, Pembroke, pleaded not guilty to stealing, but pleaded guilty to forging and uttering a cheque worth $600.

Whitecross said he found the cheque on the ground outside his apartment.

He said he used it because he was going through a difficult period in his life.

?My girlfriend was away with her brother and she was calling me up crying for money.

?I was under pressure and I didn?t know what to do,? said Whitecross.

?I?ve been out of jail for about five years. I didn?t collect the $600.

?I didn?t steal the cheques. I found them in the yard.?

Crown counsel Shade Subair told the court Whitecross had similar offences dating back to 1993.

Ms Subair said on the day in question Whitecross had stolen, forged and uttered the Bank of Butterfield cheque, which originally belonged to his landlord.

Once he realised the game was up, he took the cheque back to his landlord and begged him not to press charges.

Ms Subair said the landlord had said Whitecross had access to his home because he did odd jobs around the house.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves asked Whitecross what his favourite drug was.

But he denied being on drugs and said through tears: ?I used to be on drugs heavy, but I?m clean now.

?My girlfriend is a heroin addict and I am a single father.

?I will do 600 hours of community service, probation anything ? just don?t lock me up.

?I don?t need to go to jail.?

Mr. Greaves said: ?Son, you are going to jail for six months.?