bank he'll end up spending the rest of his life in prison if he does not "leave cocaine alone''.

The Hon. Sir James Astwood told Eugene Hilgrove Ming he suspected he tried to rob the bank because he was "mixed up in rock cocaine.'' He handed down an 18-month sentence to Ming, who had pleaded guilty to the offence. Attempted robbery carries a maximum sentence of two years.

Crown Counsel Ms Deborah Blakeney told the court robbery was "becoming a serious problem'' in Bermuda and has recently caused a great deal of concern to the Island's banks.

Ming committed the offence at about 11 a.m. last December 27 by walking into the Church Street branch of the Bank of Bermuda and handing the payroll teller downstairs a note through the slot of her window.

"The note read something like, `My friend has a gun. Fill the bag up with 100s and 50s','' Ms Blakeney said.

She said Ming did not say a word to the teller, who after being given the note, ran into an office and activated the silent alarm.

Soon after, Ming took back the note and fled the bank before security officers arrived, she said.

"The bank's security video camera recorded the incident and as a result Ming was interviewed,'' Ms Blakeney said. "He made a full written confession upon his arrest.'' The court heard Ming had never been in prison before and had only one past conviction, which was for possession of cocaine several months before the offence occurred.

Mr. Tim Marshall, for Ming, said his client had been drinking heavily in the months before the offence because he was under a lot of stress having to support his unemployed mother and two brothers.

Mr. Marshall said Ming acted alone in attempting to rob the bank and there had been no friend as the note indicated.

"The crime did not involve an elaborate plan,'' he said. "The idea was concocted by him as he walked to the bank that day.'' He added Ming was sorry for scaring the teller and realised his actions had been "foolhardy''.

Ming had nothing to say before sentencing.