more than $7,000 from several businesses while he was on probation.

Craig Stapff, 31, of Cove Point Lane, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to breaking into Manuel Soares & Son Grocery at Spanish Point on October 9 and stealing $6,471 worth of cheques, $500, several bottles of rum, and seven cartons of cigarettes.

He also admitted to several charges of forgery and obtaining cash by false pretences.

Prosecutor Sgt. Earl Kirby said the manager of the grocery store discovered that the premises had been broken into and bank bag, containing the cheques, had been taken from the cash register.

Stapff, who lives nearby, was later arrested on suspicion of the offence.

At the end of October, Sgt. Kirby said, Police learned that a cheque had been falsely made out to Robin Hood.

Management became suspicious of the cheque, he added, and refused to cash a second cheque from Stapff.

He then changed the date on the cheque to avoid any suspicion, Sgt. Kirby said, and took the cheque to the Shopping Centre where he falsely obtained $300.

Stapff claimed to be the son of the woman to whom the cheque was made out to.

He later told Police he was addicted to cocaine and stole the money to support his habit.

Stapff had paid back $50 to Robin Hood so far, Sgt. Kirby said, adding that the only stolen items recovered were four cartons of cigarettes.

Stapff, who has a history of dishonesty dating back to 1989, told acting Senior Magistrate the Wor. Cheryl-Ann Mapp that he told Police where they could find the other stolen cheques and he was willing to take them there.

Duty counsel Mr. Wilhelm Bourne said Stapff had committed the offences while he was under the influence of alcohol.

He said Stapff had promised to "keep himself straight''.

Mr. Bourne said Stapff had been receiving treatment at Addiction Services for his cocaine problem.

But he added: "He thinks he has not really benefited from these sessions.

"He feels that he could do better in a rehabilitation centre if the court could find such a centre for him. He says the group sessions don't work at Addiction Services.'' But Mrs. Mapp did not accept this.

"I am informed by persons from Addiction Services that when it is necessary to provide individual counselling, it is offered.'' While noting Addiction Services was "very stretched'' in terms of personnel and funds, she said: "They are more than willing to assist anyone with a drug problem. And they can refer anyone with an alcohol problem to Montrose.

"In three months you have not even come close to being rehabilitated. It does not happen overnight. It will be a process that you will go through for the rest of your life.'' However, Mrs. Mapp said she needed to receive a report on Stapff from Addiction Services and Probation Services before sentencing him.

She also told Stapff that it would be in his best interests if he made any restitution that he could before he appeared before her again for sentencing.

Noting that Stapff was in breach of probation and most of the "serious offences'' occurred at night, Mrs. Mapp imposed an 8 p.m.-to-7 a.m. daily curfew on him.

Stapff was granted bail in the sum of $1,000 with two like sureties.