A man who pleaded guilty to stealing his former girlfriend's mobile phone was ordered to pay $15,000 or serve three months when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday.

He is Marlon Tomlinson who has been charged with simple larceny.

Tomlinson who pleaded guilty with explanation, told the court that on the day of the incident, he was dealing with several emotional issues and he took up the cellular phone and realised that the complainant had been receiving text messages and he felt hurt.

"Your Honour, I was very hurt because I saw some messages suggesting that she had moved on. The phone was returned that same day," Tomlinson told the court.