hundreds of dollars from office workers in Hamilton to help pay her rent.

Christine Tuzo was accompanied in court by her father when she pleaded guilty to three charges of stealing.

The 17-year-old was accused of stealing a wallet containing $100 from a worker at Bermuda Landscapes Ltd on Front Street on November 28 last year, after going in to look for employment.

The following day she returned to the firm and stole $700 cash from an office worker's bag.

And on November 30, Tuzo, of Sunset Lane, Pembroke, went into the Sleep Shop on Reid Street, and stole about $680 cash from a worker's purse.

However, she returned to the store the following day on the pretence of looking for work and was immediately under suspicion from staff, who detained her until the Police were called.

The teenager told Police she had needed the money to pay her rent and admitted stealing on the three occasions.

Yesterday in court, the 17-year-old apologised for her crimes.

Defending her, lawyer Maxanne Anderson said: "The defendant apologises for these offences. She is extremely ashamed of what she has done. She asks that the court be lenient on her.

"At the time, she was having problems. She was heavily pregnant and she basically did it for money for rent. She has made some bad decisions, however, and she promises it will never happen again.'' Tuzo told Magistrate Ed King she had spoken to her father and, with his help, would try to re-pay the money.

Mr. King said: "I take into account your age, the fact that you formerly had a clean record, your physical condition and your plight.

"I shall not impose any sentence other than a conditional discharge. You deserve a chance to go straight.

"You have a conditional discharge for 24 months. You will be walking between a narrow corridor during that time.''