prison term for cheque fraud despite her tearful pleas.

Kendra Kay Minors, of Lighthouse Hill, St. David's, was yesterday sentenced in the Supreme Court for stealing and forging cheques belonging to a 70-year-old Sandys Parish man on three occasions last year.

Crown counsel Jo-dina Pearman said Minors went to the 70-year-old man's home on July 23 of last year seeking money.

After a minor altercation, Minors went to the man's car and while looking for a key took a cheque from the man's glove compartment.

Ms Pearman said Minors then went to the Maximart in Somerset, filled out the cheque, and received goods and change.

The second cheque forgery occurred on August 15, Ms Pearman said.

Police were called to Arnold's Supermarket in Somerset where Minors was detained by staff for forgery. Minors admitted to Police that she did not have permission to use the elderly man's cheque.

Ms Pearman also told the court that Minors took a cheque book from the same man's residence on November 27 last year.

At that time Minors went to the Freeport Restaurant in Dockyard, ordered food, paid for it with the stolen cheque and received change.

She returned to the same restaurant later that day, ordered food, and once again paid for it with one of the man's cheques.

Police arrested Minors on December 8 and she admitted stealing, uttering and forging the cheques for more than $300 worth of goods.

In addition to admitting to nine other offences, Minors told Police she took the cheques because the elderly man owed her money.

Minors' lawyer Kim White told Chief Justice Austin Ward that prison would not have a positive effect on her.

Mr. White said Minors should enter a comprehensive rehabilitation programme -- as advised by a social inquiry report -- at Fair Havens Christian Care Association for her seven-year cocaine addiction which had left her unemployed for the last five years.

He also produced a letter from Fair Havens which offered Minors entry into a ten-month programme with a two-year follow up scheme.

And Minors begged Mr. Justice Ward to give her another chance.

"I know what I did was wrong that's why I stole these cheques,'' she said, bursting into tears. "But I do need help. All I'm asking for is one last chance.'' Mr. Justice Ward sentenced Minors to six months in prison for each stolen cheque and 18 months for uttering and forging the cheques. All sentences are to run concurrently.

He recommended that Minors receive counselling while in prison.