A homeless St. George's man who broke into the St. George's Golf Club because he needed somewhere to sleep was given a break in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Tewolde Selassie, 25, was not sent to jail but was made to pay $4,000 restitution to the St. George's Golf Club in compensation for the damages he had caused. Selassie was homeless at the time of the offence.

Police were called to the St. George's Golf Club in response to an alarm at 11.30 p.m. on July 20, said Crown counsel Wayne Caines.

The Police stationed themselves at the front and rear doors of the club. At the rear door, said Mr. Caines, they heard a noise which sounded like the shuffling of feet.

Seconds later a man wearing a white vest and dark coloured shorts ran past Police out the front door. When Police apprehended the man, who was later identified as Selassie, he said: "You guys got me, I ain't going nowhere."

Both doors to the club, as well as the alarm system, had to be replaced, said Mr. Caines. An exact cost of the damages had not been ascertained, however Mr. Caines asked the court for a restitution order of $4,000, which was approximately the value of the doors and the alarm system.

Selassie, who said that since then he had moved in with his brother, who was attempting to help him get back on his feet, was clearly remorseful.

"I can't say too much, I'm guilty," he said.

"Now I have a job, but there was nowhere to rest my head - frustration and hard times just caught up with me. I'm willing to accept whatever."

"What can I do," said Magistrate Will Francis, before sentencing Selassie to the restitution order "without wasting any more time".

Mr. Francis also sentenced Selassie to a further fine of $1,000 and a three month prison sentence suspended for one year as part of his punishment.