A social inquiry report was ordered for a homeless woman who said she stole food from the the MarketPlace because she was hungry.

Chayanne Marie Tucker, 39, of the Salvation Army Shelter on Marsh Lane, Pembroke pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court on Thursday to stealing goods worth $18.88 on May 2.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said at 1.15 p.m. that day Tucker entered the MarketPlace on Church Street and started to place items in a canvas bag.

Tucker then approached the cashier and paid for three sodas but not the items in the canvas bag.

A MarketPlace employee followed Tucker outside and asked her to come back in the shop where the items were recovered.

"I'm homeless. I'm staying at the Salvation Army and I'm hungry," Tucker told Police. "Things are not good. I don't live anywhere. Please don't handcuff me. I'm not going to run away."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner released Tucker on $1,000 bail to appear for sentencing on August 17.

Police arrested a Pembroke man after he allegedly stole a ladies handbag containing cash and personal items.

Maxwell Mustapha Smith, 34, of Hill Crescent, Pembroke was charged with stealing the handbag on July 5. The bag contained $30 in cash, a set of keys and a credit card.

The matter was adjourned until September 12.

Smith also denied other charges before Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner.

He was charged with assault and actual bodily harm towards Rachael Burrows, wilful and unlawful damage to her motorcar and grievous bodily harm to Ivan Craig Smith, all in Pembroke on March 25. The trial for that matter will take place on Thursday.

A man appeared in Magistrates' Court last week to answer to offensive words charges.

Marcel Reid-Rubaine, 28, of Secret Lane, Pembroke pleaded not guilty to using offensive words to Police officers.

The defendant was arrested on May 6 for allegedly saying: "F**k this place. I can do time. I've already been to Westgate".

When Reid-Rubaine was asked to enter a plea, he appeared confused. The case was adjourned until August 16.

An American cruise ship passenger was hit with a costly penalty for importing cannabis to Bermuda ? a $1,500 fine.

Steven Keith Jackson was caught with seven cannabis cigarettes in his cabin on the last week.

Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney said the 46-year-old defendant brought 4.51 grams of cannabis into Bermuda for his own personal use.

Jackson, of Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty. He told the court: "I am sorry and embarrassed."