kicked drugs for almost a year has earned a Pembroke man a fine -- instead of time in prison.

Raymond Horace Robinson pleaded guilty before Magistrate Edward King to stealing a $130 bottle of Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds perfume from H A & E Smith Ltd. on Front Street last Friday. Robinson, 37, of Court Street, was fined $300 for stealing the perfume.

He was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years for stealing a $397 video cassette recorder from Gorham's Ltd. on February 23, last year.

Mr. King also suspended two one-month prison sentences for two years in relation to a drug charge and two stealing charges Robinson pleaded guilty to in 1998.

He had failed to show for a social inquiry report and sentencing hearing.

Mr. King explained to Robinson that if he were to be convicted of any crimes within the next two years, he would be sentenced for these offences first.

Robinson told Mr. King about the older offences: "That was all while I was associating with the drug game. Since I was in hospital in February I haven't been doing any drugs.'' He added: "I was getting in trouble because of my drug addiction. The hardest thing I smoke is a cigarette now.'' Crown counsel Leighton Rochester said in Friday's incident, Robinson was observed acting suspiciously in Smith's at 10.40 a.m. He picked up the bottle and walked out, but was stopped by a manager who found it in Robinson's pants.

The VCR was stolen in similar circumstances from the Gorham's hardware store on St. John's Road, Pembroke at 1.30 p.m. on February 23.