stealing more than $1,300 from his employer to feed his habit.

Michael Smith, 38, of Rose Hill Southampton, pleaded guilty to the offences when he appeared before Magistrate Cheryl Ann Mapp.

Prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said that Smith, a former bartender at Attitudes Nightclub, stole the money on two separate occasions.

The first offence occurred on July 20, 1996. In his job Smith was required to secure the takings from bar sales.

But he took $674 from the bar and never returned it and repeated the crime on September 13, this time with $700.

Smith then did not report to work for some time. Eventually he wrote his boss a letter and apologised for what he did.

The Police arrested him last February and he admitted in an interview that he took the money to feed his drug habit.

Smith has several previous offences for dishonesty and drug possession. Most recently he stole $500 and was fined $1,000 on August 20, 1994.

Before passing sentence Mrs. Mapp asked Smith if he had anything to say.

He said: "What can I say. It's all been already said. What can I say. I failed again.'' Mrs. Mapp then sent Smith to prison for six months on each count. The sentences will run concurrently.