A Colombian national, who went on a shoplifting spree in Hamilton days before he was to leave the Island, was yesterday fined $360.

Llanos Hipolito -- a 38-year-old Meridian crew member -- pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to nine counts of stealing items, totalling more than $200, from retailers on October 19.

Hipolito, who speaks no English, was seen taking a bottle of perfume and a cap from the Smuggler's Reef on Front Street.

He was stopped by an employee and detained until Police arrived.

Later at the Hamilton Police Station, items ranging from a tube of toothpaste to a $33-bottle of perfume were found in the shopping bag Hipolito was carrying.

Inquiries to the stores, including Trimingham's, Archie Brown & Son, Riihiluoma's, Davidson's, Trader's Gate, and Dollar Saver, revealed the items -- totalling $232.30, had not been sold to Hipolito, Sgt. James said.

The married father of four planned to give the items to his wife and children as souvenirs, said duty counsel Miss Victoria Pearman.

"Mr. Hipolito clearly accepts that there can be no justification for his actions,'' she said. "But he's never been in difficulty with the law before.

"He's only been with the Meridian for three months and he said he took the items because he found himself short of funds.

"He wanted to take them as souvenirs for his family.'' Miss Pearman also noted that all of the items were of small value and had been recovered.

Taking this into consideration, Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis fined Hipolito, who was scheduled to leave on the cruise ship today, $40 on each count.

The fine was paid by the Meridian which will not return to Bermuda until next year.