receiving a stolen cheque book and used it to defraud the Heron Bay MarketPlace of nearly $500 worth of groceries and cash.

Troy William Harvey's accomplice, 35-year-old Robin James Stovell -- who stole the cheques -- also received two years probation.

In addition, Harvey received 240 hours of community service at the hands of Senior Magistrate Will Francis who had seen social inquiry reports for both men.

Mr. Francis told Stovell that he was lucky he was not going to jail and added that he hoped the probation officers were right when they said in their report that they could help him.

The court heard previously that the cheques were stolen from the bedroom of a Pembroke home between November 22-23.

The theft was confirmed when the victim received a statement from his bank indicating a number of unauthorised debits on his account.

Police followed the forged-cheque trail to the Heron Bay Marketplace where investigations uncovered two purchases were made for groceries and cash, with the culprit using the stolen cheques.

The trail eventually led to Harvey and Stovell and both men admitted their offences.

MAN REMANDED IN CUSTODY CTS Man remanded in custody Charles Howard Eugene Ebbin was sent to the Supreme Court for sentencing yesterday after he pleaded guilty to three charges of breaking and entering.

Ebbin -- who had a long history of similar offences -- also asked Senior Magistrate Will Francis to take 18 other offences into account.

Mr. Francis said he lacked the power to sentence Ebbin, 38, for the crimes and remanded him in custody.

The court heard that the Friswell's Lane, Pembroke man was arrested by Police after they caught him in the parking lot of the Government Administration Building in the early hours of the morning on January 20.

A late working employee there heard glass break and upon investigating found Ebbin looking through the Social Insurance Offices. The employee called Police.

During questioning, Ebbin also admitted breaking into the Master's Bull's Head building on November 30 and stole two portable television sets worth $340.

And he said he also broke into Melbourne House on January 6 and stole two radio cassette players worth $350. Ebbin said he sold the merchandise on Court Street.

The total amount of goods Ebbin admitted stealing in the 21 offences was worth $1,088 and none of it was recovered.

MAN SKIPPED REGIMENT DUTY CTS Man skipped Regiment duty Jeremy Gene Whitecross -- who repeatedly skipped Bermuda Regiment duty -- failed to get bail yesterday.

The 20-year-old was remanded again in custody for another two weeks.

Whitecross, of Flat Rock Close, Spanish Point, is to appear at Magistrates' Court for sentencing on February 6 after a social inquiry report on him has been completed.

Whitecross has admitted two charges of failing to appear for duty -- between July and November 1995, and May and June 1996.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to attend for embodiment, disobeying orders to carry out seven extra duties and escaping custody of Regimental Police.

Earlier this month Magistrate Cheryl Ann Mapp remanded him in custody.

Whitecross later tried to bolt from the court but was restrained by Police officers.

Yesterday lawyer Mark Pettingill tried in vain to persuade Ms Mapp to release Whitecross on bail.