bosses.

Richard A. F. Lewis, 38, stole the money from the White Horse tavern in St.

George's between May and August, Magistrates Court was told yesterday.

Sgt. Earl Kirby, prosecuting, said Lewis ran off an extra copy of the slip when tourists paid by credit card. Later, he made it out for an amount corresponding to the customer's bill, pocketed the cash, and put the slip through the system.

The scam only came to light when tourists got home and queried their credit card statements.

Sgt. Kirby said the scam had been explained to Lewis by another person, who was also due to be dealt with in court.

Lewis admitted stealing the money, as well as forging and uttering credit card slips on three occasions. He asked for 38 other offences to be considered.

After hearing Lewis had similar previous convictions, Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis sentenced him to nine months in jail.

"This was a really devious scheme,'' Mr. Francis said. "There was a really sophisticated system involved here. But I am giving you credit for your guilty plea and your co-operation with the Police.'' Lewis, of Cricket Lane, Somerset, told the court he got the White Horse job after getting out of jail, and had tried to go straight. But he had been in financial difficulties, and began the scam after it was brought to his attention by the other person.