A Pembroke man hit with fines amounting to over $8,000 was told to pay up or go to jail.

Michael William Adams, of Footbridge Lane, admitted a stream of traffic crimes when he appeared at Magistrates' Court last week. He also pleaded guilty to violently resisting arrest.

"You really have no regard whatsoever for the people's law," said Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves.

"If you don't pay, you are going to spend all this time (in prison) consecutive."

The offences occurred on August 15, September 14, December 13, of last year, and January 13 of this year and all the new fines amounted $6,800 ? or 725 days in prison.

Adams also had outstanding fines, which came to another $1,600.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of driving in a dangerous manner, three charges of driving without a licence, and three charges of driving without insurance.

Adams was also fined for three charges of driving an unlicensed vehicle, two charges of failing to stop after an accident, and driving without due care and attention.

And he was fined $250 for violently resisting arrest or else face 40 days in prison.

Mr. Greaves said: "This man is a real, real menace ? every month this man is in trouble.

"I am setting up a grand payment plan ? you are working for the Government this year.

"You will be doing a lot of working now, before you did a lot of driving."

Adams was told to pay his back fines of $1,600 immediately.

"Pay it now or go to jail now," said Mr. Greaves.

It was later reported that Adams had paid up and was released.

A man was fined $500 in Magistrates' Court on Friday after stealing eight pairs of sunglasses from a Front Street store.

Stephen Pitt, 49, of Alexander Road, Devonshire, told the court he had found the sunglasses on a bench at Albuoy's Point.

The court heard that on October 28 Pitt was arrested on a different stealing matter as he was walking down the street with a black bag over his shoulder.

After Police searched him they found the sunglasses in his bag with the price tag from Buds, Beans and Books still attached. When questioned by Police he told them he was a salesman and he had a pedlar's licence.

A week before, a salesman at Buds, Beans and Books was told by another customer that someone had just left and had taken sunglasses from the store.

Pitt did not hold a pedlar's licence and was charged with stealing sunglasses worth $495 from the store.

He pleaded guilty with an explanation telling Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves that it was stealing by finding.

Pitt has a list of previous convictions of a similar nature including a stealing conviction that landed him in jail for three years.

He said: "I've paid the penalty for my previous charges."

Pitt pleaded not guilty to a different charge of stealing pins worth $800 from Vera P. Card that allegedly occurred last October. Mr. Greaves issued $1,000 bail with a like surety.