life together and was going to church.

Derrick Binns, 23, of Cricket Lane, Somerset, admitted stealing the cash from his friend Dionne Taylor's handbag, which was in the bedroom dresser of her Paget home. After the offence, on February 2, he told Police he needed the money to pay a debt.

Binns told the court: "I've got my life together and I've got a job. At the time I had a drug problem, which I have overcome. I'm seeking help and going to church services.'' But Sgt. Peter Giles, prosecuting, questioned whether Binns was reformed. "We believe he's still dabbling in cocaine and this is leading him into these offences,'' he said.

Acting magistrate the Wor. Timothy Z. Marshall told Binns: "You have a pretty awful record. You've been dealt with over the last seven years by way of fines and suspended sentences and prison.

"But I don't see any indication of any attempt to see whether you would be suitable for probation, to make sure you were dealing with the underlying drug problem.'' Adjourning the case until July 22 for a social inquiry report, he added: "It's up to you to prove yourself''.