licence for 12 months in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Derek Dillas, 47, of Loyal Hill Pass in Devonshire pleaded guilty to refusing a breath analysis test when Police officers pulled him over on August 24.

Dillas also pleaded not guilty to the charge of driving while impaired on Palmetto Road in Devonshire.

The court heard that officers pulled Dillas over after he had repeatedly crossed the middle line in the road. When they questioned him they noticed he smelt of intoxicants, his eyes were glazed and he was unsteady on his feet.

Dillas agreed to take the test but upon arrival at Hamilton Police Station changed his mind and opted to refuse it.

Before being sentenced he asked Senior Magistrate William Francis if he could keep his licence for Post Office vehicles but was turned down as Mr. Francis said he felt Dillas would not lose his job if he lost his licence.

He said: "My policy is to make an exception where driving is the tool of one's trade but having heard you I don't think that's the actual case here.'' Mr. Francis then fined Dillas $400 and disqualified him from driving all vehicles for 12 months.

DO NOT LEAAVE VALUABLES IN UNATTENDED VEHICLES CRM Do not leave valuables in unattended vehicles Police yesterday reminded drivers that valuables should not be left in unattended vehicles.

The warning came after a 34-year-old Warwick woman had her handbag stolen from her car as she went to buy a "pay and display'' ticket in a Front Street car park.

The woman told Police she left the windows of her car open around 7.50 a.m. on Monday and her handbag on the seat while she walked a few feet to obtain the ticket.

But as she returned to the car a "matter of seconds later'' she saw a man taking her handbag out of the car.

The man ran up King Street and escaped.

Police searched the area and found the handbag, but an undisclosed amount of cash was missing.

"We would advise that valuables should not be left in unattended vehicles even for short periods as this case clearly demonstrates it only takes seconds for a crime of this nature to be committed,'' Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said.

The incident is under investigation and any witnesses are asked to contact Hamilton CID on 295-0011.