yesterday for stealing a motorcycle, obtaining money and goods by false pretences and 62 counts of cheque fraud.

Exell, 41, who has been in and out of prison for the last 30 years and has a criminal record that spans 11 pages, apologised for the offences before the sentence was passed.

"Yes, I have done wrong and should be punished for what I have done,'' he said. "I am not saying the court should just slap me on the wrist and wish me the best.

"But I am asking the court to use understanding and the word of God before you pass sentence on me.'' Earlier the court heard that Exell stole a cycle from his former employer at Crow Lane Bakery and sold it to another man.

He had been employed there and had access to the cycle but when he left the job around October, 1994, he did not return it.

Between January 29 and February 1, Exell, of Pembroke, obtained $155.69 worth of groceries and petrol from the Esso Auto Mart using the Bakery's charge account.

Exell also obtained $3,125 in cash from various grocery stores during the month of February, 1995 after he stole five cheques from Brangman and Associates' Architectural firm.

He was then employed as a cleaner. He stole the cheques and cashed them for varying amounts between $375 and $575.

Exell was arrested and admitted the offences. He was admitted cashing cheques drawn on Brangman and Associates' account at Empire Grocery and White and Sons.

He told Police he used the money to buy alcohol and drugs.

Exell also admitted receiving four cheques that he knew had been stolen between February and March. He used three of them to obtain $1,700 worth of cash and goods from the Lobster Pot and two tellers at the Bank of Bermuda.

At the time, Exell was on bail for some earlier offences when he committed these latter forgeries. The earlier offences involved the theft of nine cheques which were forged for $4,450.

Exell's lawyer Mr. Mark Pettingill said that despite his client's "horrendous'' criminal record, no attempt had been made to secure counselling or psychological help.

Chief Justice the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward jailed Exell for two and a half years for the bike theft and four and half years for the false pretences and cheque fraud offences. All the sentences will run concurrently.