pregnant girlfriend whose unborn child needed an operation, a court heard yesterday.

Cedric Simons, of Spar Lane, Sandys Parish, admitted stealing cash from the safe of Riddells Bay Gas Station in October last year when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Magistrate Will Francis heard how Simons had whipped a bag containing $2,100 in cash and cheques from the storeroom safe while delivering drinks to the garage.

Video cameras revealed Simons had shoved the bag into his trousers. When Simons was caught he admitted the offence and explained why he'd done it.

Prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said: "He wanted the cash to go overseas with his child but it did not survive the operation.

"It is somewhat tragic but it doesn't exonerate Simons from his actions.'' Taylor pointed out that Simons, 31, had no previous convictions for dishonesty and made an application for restitution.

Mr. Francis ordered a social inquiry report and bailed Simons to reappear on March 20.

Mr. Francis also suggested Simons pay back the cash but Simons said his haul was nowhere near $2,100.

He said: "I admitted I had taken the bag but it only had $270 cash and a cheque for $25.'' FINE FOR MAN MAN WHO ASSAULTED OFFICER CTS Fine for man who assaulted officer A Devonshire man has been fined $600 after he pleaded guilty to assaulting a Police officer and using offensive language after an incident in Studio 55 nightclub.

Police were called to the Reid Street nightspot at 3 a.m. and found Dandre Caines, of Third Avenue, drunk.

They watched him sweep his arm across the bar sending glasses smashing to the ground.

Officers tried to calm him down but he swore at one as he tried to steady himself.

Caines was taken to Hamilton Police Station but when officers approached him later that morning he threatened to kill one and spat in his face three times.

Caines told Magistrate Will Francis yesterday: "They beat me up in that Police Station -- that's why my pants are ripped up.'' Mr. Francis said: "It seems to me you were somewhat drunk out of your mind.'' The defendant replied: "I don't remember the situation. That's how drunk I was. The police jailor punched me -- I have made a complaint.'' Caines also claimed the Police had taken his money and only returned it when he complained.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Caines' previous record included a four-month suspended sentence for breaking and entering.

But Caine interjected: "I was last before the courts for cocaine.'' Mr. Francis said Mr. Caines' behaviour had been "pretty disgusting'' and fined him $300 on each count.

MAN BEAT HIM AFTER BEING INVITED IN CRM Man beat him after being invited in A 29-year-old Devonshire man was arrested in connection with a violent robbery last Friday.

The victim told Police that he had invited the suspect into his home after they had both spent time with some friends last Thursday.

The victim alleges that he was punched and continuously kicked in the face by the suspect.

A considerable amount of cash was removed from the victim's pockets before the suspect fled the house.

Police are continuing their investigations THIEF NETS LOBSTERS AND SHRIMP CRM Thief nets lobsters and shrimp A robber with a liking for lobster broke into a Sandys Parish home on Sunday morning.

An Acacia Lane resident told Police that he noticed signs of a break-in sometime after noon and that some shrimp and two lobsters had been removed from the freezer.

In an unrelated case, Marine Police are looking into the theft of a battery from a boat moored at Jew's Bay.

The owners told police that the battery had been removed from the 15-foot runabout sometime in the last two weeks.

POLICE RECOVER STOLEN WATCHES CRM Police recover stolen watches Police have recovered a number of men's and women's watches as a result of investigations into a string of western area housebreakings.

They ask that anyone who has been the victim of house break-ins in the Warwick through Sandys areas should call 234-1010 and speak with Inspector Adams or Inspector Brown.

ELECTRICAL FAULT CAUSES A BLAZE FIR Electrical fault causes a blaze Cedar Park, Warwick residents had a scare when their meter room caught fire last Sunday.

The fire was contained to an electrical panel and was out by the time Fire Service arrived on the scene.

An electrical fault was said to be the cause.

Damages are estimated at $200.

WOMAN STRUCK AT WORKMAN'S CLUB CRM Woman struck at Workman's Club A woman is recovering from a black eye after being assaulted at Hamilton Parish Workman's Club.

The woman told Police that she was having a conversation with a male friend, over a personal matter, when it escalated into a fight.

The man allegedly struck the woman in the eye.

Police are also looking into the early morning vandalism of a car on Sunday.

The car owner told Police she had parked her car at a friend's home overnight.

The friend heard noises around 4 p.m. and when he went outside he found the front windshield had been smashed and the front and side of the car had been scraped.