cheques intended for the home and spent the money on a hotel and shopping spree, a court heard yesterday.

Four women -- two of whom were residents of The Haven home for teen mothers -- were ordered to serve a total of 600 hours community service for their part in the cheque fraud scam.

Vernal Simons, Karesha Robinson, Danielle Martin and Terica Talbot were all involved in the theft of cheques to the value of more than $10,000 intended for The Haven, Magistrates' Court was told.

They forged signatures to cash the cheques before going on a spending spree that included a stay at a local hotel, clothes and dinners at luxury restaurants.

Two of the accused, Talbot and Martin, were staying at the home when the cheques were stolen.

On one occasion a cheque for $3,920 was delivered to the Pembroke home but stolen and cashed before it could be picked up by a staff member. The money was split between Talbot, a single mother, and Simons.

On another occasion two cheques totaling $7,464 were taken by Karesha Robinson, who then shared the cash with Talbot and Martin.

Yesterday Senior Magistrate Will Francis ordered Martin, 18, of Berkeley Road, Pembroke, Talbot, 17, of Loyal Hill, Devonshire and Robinson, 19, of St.

Monica's Road, Pembroke, all to 200 hours community service each after they pleaded guilty to various counts of stealing, making a false document and receiving stolen property.

Simons, 17, of Penhurst Park was put on probation for 18 months after admitting to intending to defraud to obtain cash by false pretences and knowingly bringing a false document with the intention to defraud.

"I hope you realise that this was a very foolish and reckless thing to do,'' Mr. Francis said.

"We feel that the best thing to do would be to make you at least pay back to the Haven and the rest of the community by doing some work for which you will not get any pay.''