pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to stealing a motorcycle from his housemate and robbing a woman of her handbag.

Raymond Maxwell Perott of Fenton's Drive was remanded in custody after Senior Magistrate Will Francis determined he lacked the sentencing authority to deal with him.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Phil Taylor told the court on the night of January 21 Perott, without permission, took a Suzuki motorcycle belonging to his housemate.

While riding around on it he observed a single female -- a nurse walking home from her shift at the hospital -- heading east along South Shore Rd. in Devonshire.

Perott pulled up alongside her and asked if she wanted a ride somewhere. The female told him to leave her alone and she quickly crossed the road to get away. Once there she tried to flag down a taxi for help, but the driver didn't stop.

Perott then drove off but shortly after returned and manoeuvred alongside the woman again. When she attempted to get away he blocked her path and grabbed her handbag, containing credit cards and some $90 in cash.

At that time a passing motorist stopped to lend assistance; Perott quickly fled the scene on the cycle, crashing the bike a short time later and escaping on foot. Police eventually traced the bike back to Perott, who admitted the thefts.

Court was told Perott had just finished serving seven years for similar offences.