Ever receiving "the benefit of every doubt" from Magistrate William Francis, a 39-year-old Sandys man ended up serving three months in jail after he pleaded guilty to several charges of stealing on Tuesday.

According to Crown counsel Anthony Blackman, on August 16 this year a Royal Gazette photographer went to his Par-La-Ville Road office around noon after completing an assignment. He parked his motorcycle, which contained a camera valued over $6,000, near the building.

Approximately half an hour later, said Mr. Blackman, when the photographer went to get on his bike, he discovered both the bike and the camera had been stolen.

On August 20, Anderson turned up at The Royal Gazette offices and said for a reward of $150, he would lead the photographer to the whereabouts of his camera. When instructed to return later so that the money could be obtained, Anderson agreed and was arrested by Police who were waiting in the building. The camera was subsequently recovered.

Anderson told the Police that he was "willing to return it and that he was "acting as a good Samaritan".

He claimed that he was an innocent bystander in the situation and expressed his remorse for being involved in the matter.

"I was at the wrong place at the wrong time," Anderson told the Mr. Francis.

"You were trying to dupe people out of some money by dishonest means... but I'm going to give you the benefit of every doubt," Mr. Francis told the man before he fined him $500.

However, moments later, Mr. Francis was forced to incarcerate Anderson after he admitted that he went on a stealing spree in St. George's on September 8.

"Mmmm," said Mr. Francis. "This is you again?"

The court heard how Anderson stole two cedar picture frames from Bermuda Memories, clothing from the Paradise Gift Shop, drugs and toiletries from Robertson's Drug Store as well as sunglasses and t-shirts from Watermelons.

Mr. Blackman told Mr. Francis that Anderson entered Bermuda Memories and introduced himself to the salesperson before engaging her in conversation.

She told Police that after he left the store she noticed that two cedar frames, worth $45 each, were missing.

Around 1.30 that same afternoon, Police observed Anderson riding a mountain bike on Duke Street in St George's. When stopped, he had the frames in his possession. In a further search, Police discovered the other stolen items as well.

Mr. Blackman asked Mr. Francis to hand Anderson a custodial sentence.

"You were very lenient last time, but I don't think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time this time," he said.

Mr. Francis sentenced Anderson to three months' imprisonment on each count. The sentences are to run concurrent.

"While you are at Westgate, I hope you address your drug problem," said Mr. Francis.