A 16-year-old learned a hard lesson in Magistrates' Court yesterday after he was remanded in custody for cycle theft.

Jahni Tarance Outerbridge, of Cedar Park Devonshire was not given any breaks by Magistrate Will Francis after he pleaded guilty to stealing a RC Suzuki bike and admitted possessing five screwdrivers which could be used to commit a felony.

The court learned that the $2,000 motorcycle had been left parked on the porch of the owner's home after he left for work.

Police were alerted to the area by someone who had spotted Outerbridge acting suspiciously around the house. Police soon found Outerbridge pushing the bike alongside the road near to the residence. When they stopped him he admitted to the offence.

When they searched him they also discovered the screwdrivers around his waist.

Duty counsel Paul Woolgar told the court that the second charge should not stand.

But Crown counsel Graveney Bannister disagreed because he said it implied intent to commit any felony, not just break-ins.

Referring to cycle theft as a plague, Mr. Francis said the incident was a lesson to everyone.

"There is that terror that no matter how much you lock it up or chain it it will be taken away," said Mr. Francis

Mr. Francis dropped the second charge but convicted Outerbridge on the first. He ordered Outerbridge into custody pending the results of a Social Inquiry Report.