going back to the 1970's'' received a $500 fine and an 18-month suspended prison sentence in Magistrates' Court this week.

John Edward Thompson, of Wellington Slip Road, pleaded guilty to stealing visitor Clare Cunningham's handbag from her auxiliary cycle on June 8.

Thompson is reported to have rode alongside the livery cycle Cunnigham and her husband were travelling on.

He snatched her handbag while they were leaving St. George's via St. David's, prosecutor Sgt. Peter Giles said.

An off-duty Policeman witnessed the incident.

And after recognising Thompson as a disqualified driver, he pursued him.

Thompson was later arrested but initially denied any involvement.

He later admitted that he stole the handbag.

Cunningham's camera and most of her personal effects were recovered.

Sgt. Giles said on July 3 a family returned to their Wellington Slip Road apartment in St. George's around 9 p.m. to find their door open and the lights on.

A man, who was later identified as Thompson, was arrested.

Thompson admitted to breaking into the apartment with intent to steal, but he was disturbed by the family.

Sgt. Giles told the court Thompson has an "extensive record of dishonesty'' that included prowling, larceny and indecent assault.

He also said Thompson has a drug problem.

Acting Senior Magistrate the Wor. John Judge was sympathetic to Thompson who has a drug problem.

But Sgt. Giles insisted that although drugs did play some role in Thompson's actions, it was unfair to place all the blame on drugs.

"I was making progress,'' Thompson said. "But things fell apart and I had a relapse. I'm sorry for what I have done.'' "Snatching property from a tourist is a serious crime,'' Mr. Judge told Thompson. "Tourism is one of the mainstays of the Bermudian economy. You can't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.'' He fined Thompson $500 for riding while disqualified and gave him a 12-month suspended prison sentence.

He gave him an additional six-month suspended sentence for breaking and entering.

But he warned: "If you are in trouble again you are looking at least 18 months in prison.''