Court yesterday.

Darren Richardson, 32, who was homeless at the time of the offence, admitted to stealing $100 from Elmira Scraders on December 10.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor explained that during that afternoon Richardson visited the home of Ms Scraders on Court Street.

He left the residence, but returned around 4.30 p.m. to collect a bag he had forgotten in the kitchen.

Sgt. Taylor added that when Richardson noticed Ms Scraders was not home, he broke into the house through a rear bathroom window.

He then went into the lounge area and stole a $20 bill and the piggy bank which contained around $80 in loose change.

Richardson was arrested on December 26 and taken to the Hamilton Police Station where he admitted using the money to buy food and drink.

Magistrate Arthur Hodgson fined Richardson $300 of which $100 will go towards compensating Ms Scraders.