the court to straighten out his life after he admitted stealing cheques from his stepmother.

James Lovell, of Fruitland Lane, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to stealing four cheques from his stepmother, and forging one in order to buy goods worth $20 from the Maximart between November 26 and December 8 last year.

Prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette said it was not until December 7 that Lovell's stepmother noticed the cheques were missing.

Lovell told Police that he forged one of the cheques to get something to eat and to get some change for a bus ride.

He also asked for nine other offences be taken into account.

Lovell's father said yesterday: "I don't appreciate what he did. It hit us below the belt.'' But he asked Senior Magistrate Will Francis to give his son a last chance.

He said he had enrolled his son in a two-week flying school course in Florida starting tomorrow and would be personally escorting him there.

Lovell's father added that if all went well on this course he would send him to flying school.

Mr. Francis granted Lovell a conditional discharge for twelve months on each count.