on the Island.

That was the warning from the Wor. John Judge during a handbag snatching case in Magistrates' Court this week.

But the thief escaped prison after it was revealed he was taking steps to end his drug addiction.

Calvin Hendrickson, 34, of Crown Hill, Southampton, admitted stealing the handbag of an American visitor, with contents worth $750.

Father of a 15-month-old daughter, Hendrickson was given a suspended sentence and a fine but was severely reprimanded by Mr. Judge.

Prosecutor Sgt. Rex Osborne said American citizen Charlotte Anne Docherty had been to the Henry VIII Restaurant with her sister-in-law. The Sonesta Beach Hotel guests were returning to the hotel when they saw Hendrickson standing at the bottom of a set of steps.

Sgt. Osborne said: "As they approached the steps they saw the defendant standing by a trash can. Ms Docherty thought he was standing there to allow them to pass.

"She thanked him and he replied, then snatched her handbag. He made good his escape through a yard.'' While he was escaping across South Shore Road a car had to brake to avoid hitting Hendrickson. The driver was told about the theft and followed him to Lighthouse Hill.

Police arrived on the scene and after a brief chase arrested him and took him to Hamilton Police Station.

The handbag containing identity cards, travellers' cheques, a gold bracelet, credit cards and $100 in cash was not recovered.

Mr. Judge suggested Hendrickson speak to duty counsel Ms Elizabeth Christopher.

Ms Christopher said: "Mr. Hendrickson is involved in drugs and he has been attending Drug Addiction Services meetings. He is to go to Minnesota on a rehabilitation course on Monday.

"He has given information to the Police which may lead to the recovery of the purse.

"If you give him a prison sentence he may well miss the opportunity to rehabilitate.'' Informing Hendrickson that it was a good thing that he had spoken to the lawyer, Mr. Judge said: "My initial reaction was to send you to prison forthwith.

"There is far too much handbag snatching going on. Tourists especially must be protected because if the tourist industry in this Country is destroyed by this sort of behaviour everyone is going to suffer.

"I do not want to mess you up as an individual. This is possibly your last chance to straighten your life out.'' He was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years and a fine of $300.