one year in prison.

Kevin David Shiell, of Somersall Road, Smith's Parish, pleaded guilty on Thursday to nine charges, including theft of $9,740 of cash and property, using threatening words, and attempted bodily harm.

Crown counsel Leighton Rochester said the 26-year-old committed a string of offences throughout the early part of the summer.

Shiell's tactics included snatching handbags from parked and moving livery cycles, and money-exchange scams.

On one occasion he forced a female visitor off her cycle and threatened the woman's life if she did not surrender her belongings.

"Most of the offences were against women, and the majority of them were visitors,'' explained Mr. Rochester.

Police recovered Shiell's jewellery loot, but $3,673 of the cash was never recovered.

Lawyer Michael Scott, representing Shiell, pointed out his client was a confessed drug addict, but admitted addiction could not be used as a defence.

"He has come here accepting that he will be incarcerated,'' said Mr. Scott.

"He is cooperative and is asking for help.'' And Shiell told Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller he was "very sorry'' for his actions.

"I never really meant to hurt anyone, physically or mentally,'' said Shiell.

"I'll do my best to change my life around...whatever sentence you give me, I will feel that it is righteous.'' Mrs. Justice Wade-Miller noted Shiell's remorse and assistance with the Police, but said the attacks upon visitors "struck at the root of the tourism industry''.

"In the short term, your family will be affected,'' she told Shiell. "But in the long term, the community will be affected.'' She ordered Shiell to serve one year for each of the five thefts of amounts over $60, one month for a theft of under $60, three months for attempted theft, one month for attempted bodily harm, and one year for using threatening words.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

And she recommended that Shiell take part in the drug addiction programmes at the Westgate Correctional Facility.