signature has been placed on probation for 18 months.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis yesterday rejected a defence application to bind over Deborah Burns.

Burns' lawyer Elizabeth Christopher urged that Burns, 48, not be penalised for offending on three consecutive days when she had an unblemished record during the rest of her life.

Ms Christopher said Burns, of Grape Bay Road, St. George's was receiving voluntary treatment for drug problems at Fair Haven.

Burns pleaded guilty to four counts of stealing cheques and four counts of forging signatures. The total amount was around $800 and half had been paid back.

Mr. Francis said: "Cheque fraud on this Island is absolutely phenomenal, particularly for people on drugs.

"Someone is on drugs and no relative's cheque book is safe. If a sister or brother is on drugs they will go into a handbag and forge cheques all over the Island and they know they will be caught.

"But they're aching for a rock of cocaine. Unless they know there are some consequences, no-one is safe.'' Mr. Francis placed Burns on probation and ordered her to continue to undergo treatment for her addiction.