their part in trying to cash a cheque for $1,680.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis heard how Sinclair Lewis, 49, stole ten cheques from an unlocked van parked on Reid Street in March. He then passed two of the cheques on to Gary Wellman.

Wellman, 45, of Mount Hill, Pembroke, then walked into a branch of the Bank of Butterfield and tried to cash one of the cheques for $1,680.

But when the cashier became suspicious Wellman was forced to flee empty handed. He was later arrested by Police and confessed, claiming he needed the cash because he was an alcoholic and cocaine addict.

Yesterday Wellman pleaded guilty to receiving a cheque knowing it was stolen, making a false document, forcing that false document and attempting to gain cash through false pretences.

Prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor told the court how both men had a string of previous convictions.