paid his fine of $300.

Steven Gregory Mills, 39, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to begging on April 16 at the corner of Church Street and Court Street.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined Mills $300 and said he would have to pay it straight away or face ninety days in prison.

A man in the court room spoke up at that point and said he would pay the fine.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said he was at school with Mills many years ago and felt sorry for him.

He added that even though he had just lost his job and could not really afford to pay the fine, he would pay it anyway.

Earlier the court heard that Erik Marshall was using the Bank of Bermuda automatic teller machine on Church Street when Mills approached him and asked for some money.

Mr. Marshall refused and Mills went to Mr. Marshall's wife, who was using an adjacent machine, and asked her for money.

Mrs. Marshall felt very threatened by Mills and left the scene.

A complaint was made and Mills was arrested by Police.

When asked yesterday if he had anything to say, Mills replied: "I'm homeless.

I'm not down Salvation Army any more. I get hungry in the morning so I ask people for some money to get something to eat.'' Lawyer Peter Farge said he had called Salvation Army who said they had not seen Mills for a time and were prepared to have him back.