yesterday after he was caught stealing a bottle of vodka.

The heavyweight bronze medalist was given until next year to pay the $25 fine when the magistrate learned he was in jail for non-payment of child support.

Hill, 42, said he was sentenced to 90 days in prison last month for the offence.

"Mr. Hill, you are a man who at one time had everything going for him,'' Magistrate the Wor. John Judge said. "It is an awful shame to see you throw your life away.'' Hill, who pleaded guilty, said he was unemployed and had got "hooked'' on drugs after becoming depressed at being unable to leave Bermuda to box in the United States.

"I know I can't put myself back where I used to be,'' he said. "But I am trying to uplift myself to a better position in life.'' Prosecutor Sgt. Ken James said Hill was seen stealing the $8.85 bottle of vodka by an employee observing security cameras at the Hamilton MarketPlace on the morning of May 13.

The manager confronted Hill in the parking lot, Sgt. James said, and he claimed he bought the vodka at another store.

But when told he had been seen stealing it on TV, he pulled the bottle out from the back of his trousers and smashed it against a wall.

The manager and other staff were able to detain him until Police arrived.

Magistrate the Wor. John Judge gave Hill until January 25 to pay the fine and ordered $8.85 go towards compensating the MarketPlace.