ran off with the money, was fined $800 in Magistrates' Court this week.

The court heard 34-year-old Gordon Charles Dunlop, 34, of Bailey's Bay, who pleaded guilty to theft, used the money to buy crack.

Prosecuting Sgt. Wilbert Maclean said on March 26 two women working at Waterloo House in Hamilton gave Dunlop their cheques to cash when he said he was going to the bank.

One of the cheques was for $349 and the other was for $450. Dunlop cashed them as well his own pay cheques and went to a friend's house where he smoked cocaine, Sgt. Maclean said. After spending his pay cheque on cocaine, Dunlop spent the two women's money to buy more.

Sgt. Maclean said Dunlop failed to return to work that day and the rest of the week, losing his job as a result.

The two women reported the matter to Police and Dunlop was eventually seen and arrested. He readily admitted the offence, Sgt. Maclean added.

Dunlop told the court he had paid back $200 of the stolen money and had just started a job at another hotel.

"What are you doing about your cocaine addiction, because it's going to get you in deeper trouble,?'' Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis asked.

Dunlop said he was getting professional help.

Mr. Francis ordered $600 of the fine to go towards compensating the two ladies.