An elderly man pleaded guilty to stealing a truck when he appeared in Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court that Frankie Cabral, 69, of Bakery Lane, Pembroke, took the white Chevrolet truck on June 13 of last year without the consent of the owner. After taking the vehicle with another man, the pair then had an accident on Victoria Street in Hamilton.

The next morning, the owner of the truck noticed that it had been moved and, on closer inspection, could see that it had been in an accident.

Cabral, who claims to work for the owner of the truck as a housekeeper, told the court that he took the vehicle, but did not remember an accident.

Ms Clarke said: "I would suggest a fine, but I don't know whether Mr. Cabral could pay."

Duty counsel Darrell Clarke said Cabral had taken the truck to town so that he could get something to eat.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves said: "I take this as a very serious offence; He can barely walk or stand."

Cabral was bailed for $2,500, pending a Social Inquiry Report.