getting his sentence increased.

Marvin Lee Woolridge, 30, appeared before three Appeal Court judges without a lawyer and asked for a lesser punishment.

But he was warned by judge the Hon. Harvey da Costa, acting president, that his "shocking'' list of crimes was likely to prompt them to increase his jail term instead.

However, after hearing Woolridge the court decided not to change his sentence.

Last year Woolridge, of Loyal Hill Pass in Devonshire, admitted snatching more than $5,000 from visitors. mainly women. He rode alongside them and grabbed cash, cameras and clothes from their bike baskets.

The proceeds were used to pay off heroin debts, the court heard. Last December senior magistrate the Wor. Will Francis gave him a three-month suspended sentence and a $1,200 fine for six offences.

This was appealed by Crown prosecutor Mr. Brian Calhoun and in March Chief Justice the Hon. Sir James Astwood sent Woolridge to Casemates for a year.

Yesterday Woolridge said his sentence should be cut because he had faced justice after returning from the US voluntarily. He gave himself up at the Airport and pleaded guilty, he said.

But Mr. Justice da Costa told him: "I have to warn you that if you persist in your appeal you run certain consequences.

"One is that the court could take the view that you deserve a greater sentence.

"You are a very powerful and intimidating gentleman and I can imagine the effect on tourists when you descended upon them with your physical presence.

"It's a shocking lot of offences you have committed.'' Woolridge said he had been caught up in bad company while on the Island, but spent time in South Carolina and changed his life. He had a panel-beating job waiting and two children. Mr. Francis had accepted his story and given him a last chance, he said.

"Everyone falls short sometimes in life. I've turned over a new leaf. I have a lot of remorse for what I've done.'' Mr. Calhoun told the court the sentence should stay at 12 months. A probation officer had described Woolridge as nothing more than a smooth talker.

Mr. Justice da Costa told Woolridge: "You are very lucky. Had you been sent to the Supreme Court for sentencing you could have got a much harsher sentence.

"But because you were before a magistrate and the maximum there is one year, you are stuck with your one year and you are very fortunate. We don't think that the sentence is by any means one that is excessive.''