An 18-year-old who pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing from tourists and two counts of breaking and entering was given three years probation and a stern warning to "straighten up'' after appearing in Supreme Court yesterday.

Christopher Anthony Smith, who has spent two months in custody while waiting for sentence, was told by Puisne Judge Richard Ground: "If you cooperate with your Probation Officer, if you don't mess up, you have a chance to become a useful member of this community.'' According to Crown Counsel Nita Grewal, Smith stole more than $12,000 worth of cash and goods in a crime spree between February and May of this year.

He was arrested on May sat, about an hour after two cruise ship passengers who were playing the Belmont Golf Course reported a bag containing cash and jewellry had been taken from the basket of their golf cart.

When stopped by Police, Smith, who had a large amount of US cash in his possession, admitted the crime and showed Police where he had hidden the rest of the stolen goods.

Smith also admitted to a similar crime against a Harmony Hall guest who was also playing Belmont Golf Course.

In February and May of this year Smith, who is living in Bermuda with his mother while waiting for his Bermuda Status application to be processed, broke into two Warwick homes, helping himself to cash, jewellery and other goods.

According to lawyer Mr. Mark Telemaque, these crimes -- and two similar cases which he asked the Court to take into account -- were the result of, "frustration caused by not being able to work in Bermuda''.

Referring to Smith's hitherto unblemished record, and parts of a social inquiry report describing him as having a generally good character, Mr.

Telemaque said: "This is a one-off series of incidents.

"I am sure my client would respond well to probation. The discipline imposed by the probation officer will help keep him out of trouble.'' Both Mr. Telemaque and Ms Grewal pointed out in their submissions that it was unusual for Smith to be sent to Supreme Court for sentencing. Crimes of this nature involving first time offenders were usually dealt with by Magistrates' Court, according to the lawyers.

Counsel agreed that Smith's case was sent to a higher Court only because of the large amount of money involved. In pleading for his client, Mr. Telemaque asked Mr. Justice Ground to take his clean record, ready confession of guilt and cooperation with Police into account when deciding the sentence.

"His actions, as well as his request for other cases to be taken into account indicate a willingness to take responsibility for his crimes,'' Mr. Telemaque said.

Earlier, Ms Grewal said prison terms were unusual for first time offenders facing these charges, saying that custodial sentences were more often handed down to repeat offenders.

Before sentencing, Smith told the Court: "I am sorry. I realise I have caused a lot of grief. I've going through a bad stage. These last two months (in custody) have been hard. I have never been in trouble with the law before.

That's all.'' Before passing sentence, Mr. Justice Ground said he had some difficulty in deciding what course of action was appropriate.

"These are very serious offences, stealing from tourists and breaking in to someone's house, going through their possessions and taking things. You could be sent to prison for that.

"I have great difficulty deciding what to do with you. You are old enough to realise the harm you are doing.

"When you steal, you not only take things from your victims you are harming every person who works in this community.'' He told Smith that if he broke the law while serving his three years probation, he would find himself in the dock again.

"If you mess up again and come back to this Court, you will probably end up in prison for three or five years,'' he said. "If you keep your hands clean and cooperate with your probation officer you might have a chance at becoming a useful member of the community.''