A Hamilton Parish man who was excused from paying $3,000 in traffic fines a year ago will spend the next six months behind bars -- after racking up another $6,600 in fines since his last court appearance.

Magistrate Edward King said he could not overlook the fact that while Orris Austin Baker was not physically able to pay off the fines he "cannot excuse payment as he persists in breaking the law''.

In March last year Mr. King courted controversy by writing off $3,250 in traffic fines Baker had racked up, prompting then Crown counsel Peter Eccles to say the decision "has to be clearly wrong''.

Baker, 39, of Cottage Hill, is understood to be getting assistance from Bermuda Government for physical and mental disabilities.

In court yesterday he also pleaded guilty to using another person's name to obtain jewellery from Crisson's in 1998 by filling out an application for a charge card and then using it to purchase items.

Concerning last year's appearance Mr. King said yesterday: "They call me controversial. Maverick. They get a lot of mileage off of me on the talk shows.

"They say that I only write off foreigner's fines. But I do it for a lot of Bermudians.

"I did it for you!'' he said, pointing at Baker. "I wrote off $3,200 in fines for you and now you've got $4,500.'' Mr. King then began re-counting the amount, and said: "No, $6,600. And then somebody would say that prison is not the answer. And people should not be imprisoned for traffic offences.

"But you continually drive without a licence and without third party insurance. What if you hurt somebody?'' he said. "They won't be able to pay for their expenses.'' Writing in Baker's file, Mr. King said: "He's not physically able to earn enough to pay off these fines. I cannot excuse payment as he persists in breaking the law.

"I sentence you to 180 days in respect of the traffic fines and three months each for the dishonesty offences,'' Mr. King added. "You've been taking unfair advantage of your socio-economic situation.'' Baker had pleaded guilty to driving his car on December 1 and 6 without a licence and without third party insurance.

For the first offence of not having insurance Mr. King fined Baker $1,000 and for the second offence he increased it to $2,000.

For the car not having a licence Baker was fined a total of $1,500.

Baker also had $2,100 in fines outstanding from last summer.

And despite several appearances in court over the past three years he was only formally charged with the Crisson's offences yesterday.