The Chief Justice ordered a social inquiry report for 42-year-old Hill who will be sentenced on May 16.

Crown Counsel Mr. Brian Calhoun said Hill, of Marsh Lane, Pembroke, robbed John Ross of three dollars in coins on September 30.

Mr. Calhoun pointed out that Hill had two prior convictions for robbery and said that he had received a two-year suspended sentence for an offence which occurred on September 9, 1992.

A condition of that sentence was that he should attend church and addiction services.

The court heard that Hill, a former Olympic bronze medalist, put his arm across the bathroom door to prevent Ross from leaving, and demanded $10.

Ross tried to pass but Hill pushed the door shut and again demanded that Ross give him $10.

Realising he was trapped, Ross began to scream but Hill told him that the Police couldn't hear him and that he could knock him out.

Ross then gave him three dollars in coins and Hill told him that he knew where he worked and would come after him the next day.

Two days later, on October 2, Hill was inside the bathroom when he spoke to Kern Posey, a crew member on board the cruise ship Sagafjord .

After finding out that Posey was a visitor, Hill told him "this is my bathroom, and you have to give me five dollars.'' When Posey said he did not have the money, Hill blocked the exit and struck him in the face cutting his lip and causing swelling and multiple bruises.

An off duty Policewoman heard the confrontation and arrested Hill as he left the bathroom and made his way to Front Street.

Mr. Calhoun said Hill admitted he resorted to stealing because he had a drug problem and did not have a job.

Hill's lawyer, Mr. Philip Perinchief, asked Chief Justice Mr. Justice Ward for a social inquiry report which he said would assist him and the court to understand why these offences occurred and their timing.

"I don't see how a social inquiry report can say anything you can't say,'' the Chief Justice told Mr. Perinchief.

"This is not his first offence. With young people, social services can make certain psychological investigations and give a more complete background which may explain why a young person acted like they did.

"Mr. Hill has been here before. He's a grown person and that type of inquiry is no longer important.'' However, Mr. Perinchief pointed out that he knew that Hill had a severe drug problem and that a social inquiry report would allow "a deeper and wider inquiry'' into the facts and circumstances of the incident.