Two masked thugs who terrorised a visitor when they broke into her guest room were jailed for a year at Supreme Court yesterday.

Keoki Cann and Jeron Douglas, both 19, were part of a gang of four masked burglars who stole a purse containing $300 when they woke up Stephanie Dutkewicz as they broke into her room at Clear View Suites, Hamilton Parish, in November.

Assistant Justice Archibald Warner said he wanted to send a clear message to young hooligans that they would be jailed for such behaviour ? regardless of their age.

The court heard Ms Dutkewicz, from Rhode Island, still has nightmares about the break-in.

?These young people think they can go around terrorising people and this is a classic example,? Mr. Justice Warner said. ?Four people broke into the room to steal the purse and have fun. That is terrorising. When they realised there was only one person in the room they said ?let?s have some fun?.

?Let it be known to you and any of your friends that come before this court for this type of behaviour and you will go to prison. I am minded to impose a substantial deterrent sentence, but I have considered your individual cases. This foolishness from you young men must stop.?

Cann, of Aubrey Road, and Douglas, of My Lord?s Bay, both Hamilton Parish, have been in Westgate Correctional facility on remand since November and Mr. Justice Warner took time served into consideration.

He also ordered both to be placed on three years? probation after they are released and to undergo rehabilitation courses.

Crown counsel Shakira Dill said Ms Dutkewicz was awoken at 1 a.m. when the light in her room was switched on and she saw one young masked man.

She asked who was there and no one answered, then the other three men came in the room.

One of them stood over her and shouted: ?Where?s the money?? Douglas said he came in the window and opened the doors for the others, said Ms Dill, ?and when he realised there was just one female, he said ?Let?s do this s**t?.?

Mark Pettingill, who represented both defendants, who admitted burglary, said having served time, they needed rehabilitation.

?We have to embrace these young men. As a society we cannot lock them up out of sight forever,? said Mr. Pettingill. ?These are not evil boys. They have gone astray but they are not evil and are not lost to us.?

Cann was put on two years? probation last year for grievous bodily harm, and he was fined $750 for offensive words and possession of an offensive weapon.

Douglas was found guilty of six counts of housebreaking in 2000 and committed to Child and Family Services, and was fined $2000 last year for possession of cannabis.

Mr. Pettingill said both had emotional issues with their parents, had had difficulties at school, and problems with alcohol and marijuana.

Before he was sentenced, Cann said he was deeply sorry and acted out of character because he had been drinking.

?She was a visitor and I hope she didn?t leave here with an impression that this is how our society is,? he said.

Mr. Justice Warner asked what type of impression she was supposed to have given she had just been terrorised.

?You went to school? You know how tourism contributes to the economy and the money that is spent bringing visitors to this Island?? he said.

?This Government is spending millions (on tourism) so all Bermudians can make a living and this is the way you behave to your guests? You either want them or you don?t want them.?

Douglas also apologised, saying being remanded at Westgate had made him ?wake up? and realise he had to change his life.