Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp in Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Tracey Gladstone Caines, 22, had pleaded guilty to stealing $50 from Kyjuan Saltus and later escaping Police custody. He claimed he snatched Mr. Saltus' wallet at a June 8 picnic because he owed him money.

Asked for an explanation for his behaviour, Caines said: "I apologise for my actions. At the time I was unemployed and homeless, and I was desperate''.

But she told him: "That's no excuse. You're acting like a thug and that can't be tolerated.

"You're taking modern times back to the days of the wild, wild west ...

This was out-and-out broad daylight highway robbery.

For the theft she gave him a six month prison term which was suspended for 18 months.

And for the second charge she him put him on 18 months probation which included attending a drug rehabilitation programme.

Mrs. Mapp told Caines: "That is a serious problem you have that needs to be corrected.''