than $12,000 was given 150 hours of community service and fined $6,000 in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Friends and acquaintances who appeared on behalf of Guido Verrillo testified yesterday that the offences were "completely out of character'' for the 31-year-old.

The Italian pleaded guilty last month to charges of attempted fraud, making a false report to Police and fraudulently obtaining money from four different insurance firms. He asked that two other offices be taken into consideration.

Among those standing by Verrillo in court was his immediate boss, Waterlot Maitre d' Mr. David DeSilva and the owner of Romanoff's Restaurant, Mr. Anton Duzevic.

Mr. Dereck Selby, who said he has been like a father to him, told Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis that Verrillo was "devestated by the situation'' but accepted responsibility for his actions.

In 1989, the top triathlete falsely reported that his pedal cycle had been stolen and received $3,500 from BF&M General Insurance Company.

Two years later he said luggage and camera equipment worth $3,215.95 had been taken, and claimed the money from Freisenbruch-Meyer Insurance.

In December of 1991, he visited Argus Insurance claiming $2,509 worth of luggage had been stolen.

Two months ago, Police received a complaint from a claims officer at BF&M that Verrillo had attempted to obtain $1,625 for camera equipment he said had been stolen.

During Police inquiries, it was discovered a separate claim had been made on the same camera equipment with another insurance firm.

Lawyer Mr. Wilhelm Bourne reminded the court that his "devastated'' client cooperated fully with Police, even informing them of a false claim they were not aware of.

He asked Mr. Francis to impose a sentence of community service on Verrillo to "send a clear message'' that people who cooperate with Police will receive lighter sentences.

The bulk of Verrillo's $6,000 fine will be used to repay the insurance firms.

Thus far, he has paid $7,000.