term.

Keavin Wendell Caines, 22, pleaded guilty on Friday before Magistrate Archibald Warner to attempting to steal a Suzuki RC 100 motorcycle from Edna Mae Tuzo on September 29.

Caines, of 17 Barracks Close, also admitted destroying the cycle's ignition in the nighttime while it was parked outside Four Star Pizza in Hamilton.

In court he told Mr. Warner: "I'm sorry. I've written a letter of apology to the lady and I do intend to repair her bike.'' Caines -- who also told a reporter from The Royal Gazette "don't put my name in the paper'' -- said he was sitting on the cycle contemplating continuing with the theft when Ms Tuzo confronted him.

He added: "I thought about things and my pregnant girlfriend. I was saying I shouldn't be doing this. All this came in a flash.'' But Mr. Warner rebuked Caines, saying: "You all have to stop committing violent acts against people and their property. People must be able to ride and walk the streets without being harmed.'' Mr. Warner also told duty counsel Oona Goodred he was using the word assault in its "broadest'' sense after she reminded him Caines was not charged with a violent act.

"I want to make it very clear that these type of assaults and behaviour and acts are not going to be tolerated,'' he said. "Therefore I impose an immediate custodial sentence of six months imprisonment.'' Caines began to pace moments after being sentenced before he was taken away by a Policeman.

Mr. Warner had heard Caines and another man, not before the court, rode past the pizza parlour shortly after Ms Tuzo parked her cycle at 11.05 p.m. on September 29.

Crown counsel Veronica Daley told Mr. Warner that Caines told his friend to stop near the Pembroke Community Centre and walked back to Ms Tuzo's cycle.

"There he removed the ignition cover and was attempting to wheel the cycle down a ramp when he was interrupted by the complainant,'' Mrs. Daley said.

"She grabbed Mr. Caines but he broke free, running to the getaway cycle.'' Mrs. Daley said Ms Tuzo chased after the men and they were stopped by Police a short distance away on Court Street.

There Ms Tuzo accused Caines, in front of Police, of attempting to steal the cycle which he denied.

Caines was arrested and admitted the offence the following day. He had caused $110 damage to the cycle.