and imprisoned a desperate thief for three months.

In fact Mr. Francis said that Alvin McNeil Hayward was lucky not to have been jailed for six months.

Hayward, 39, was in court for two thefts from a former girlfriend Angela Talbot, which he admitted.

Prosecuting Sgt. Earl Kirby said that Talbot had reported a television worth $250 had been stolen from her Tribe Road home.

Sgt. Kirby said: "She told the Police that the accused was living with her as her boyfriend and had a key.

"Hayward told her he had sold it and he would get it back when he had the money.'' The second offence occurred after Talbot had moved to Curving Avenue when she found her house had been burgled. A 14 carat gold necklace worth $150 had been taken.

Police did not pursue charges of breaking and entering although Hayward admitted he had stolen the necklace.

Sgt. Kirby said: "He said he had received $50 for the television and $75 for the necklace.'' Defending Hayward, Mr. Peter Farge said: "He said that he was extremely hard up for money to buy food to eat.

"He had been to social services for help to no avail. At times he has been forced to eat from rubbish bins because he was so short of money. He sleeps in the streets.

"He does the occasional hustle like washing cars and he is willing to work so he can pay the compensation.

"He said he was forced to do this because he just did not have any money. A rather drastic state of affairs.''