using money he had obtained through theft, fraud and deception. Roberts stole $22,500 by cashing three separate cheques, which he had forged after stealing them from a Hamilton air conditioning company.

But while he was holidaying in London's exclusive Dorchester Hotel, his crimes were discovered and he was arrested on his return to Bermuda.

Roberts, already in custody awaiting sentencing for an earlier case of breaking and entering, appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

He was charged with 10 separate offences of theft, forgery, and obtaining cash by false pretences. He pleaded guilty to all the charges.

Prosecuting, Sgt. Earl Kirby said that on July 24, Roberts, of Granaway Heights, Southampton, had gone into the Air Care office in Hamilton saying he had a meeting. While he was alone he stole three cheques and left.

Later that day he forged two cheques and changed them for cash at different branches of the Bank of Butterfield.

Sgt. Kirby said: "He was in possession of cheques previously stolen and forged one of them for $7,500. His landlord asked him to pay three months rent -- a total of $3,000.

"Roberts gave him a cheque for $7,500 and told him to cash it and keep the remaining money until he returned from England.'' Police recovered the forged cheque when the landlord tried to cash it at the bank.

Sgt. Kirby said: "He said that he was sorry but he was unable to pay back the money, and that it would not happen again.'' Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis said that Roberts was already remanded in custody by the Supreme Court awaiting sentencing. He said that the ten charges would be added to the ones that were already outstanding.