prison when he appeared in Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Forty-seven-year-old Buford Smith of Lusher Hill, Warwick, pleaded guilty to one count of stealing on March 23, three counts of stealing on May 15 and one count of possession of a controlled substance on February 4 of this year.

Buford, who said he was overwhelmed by all the charges laid before him, requested legal counsel because he felt he was being unfairly accused.

"I would like to have some type of counsel,'' he said. "It seems like they're trying to railroad me.'' On February 4, Buford was stopped and searched by Police in Pembroke and was found to be in possession of a small clear plastic bag containing plant material. Buford denied it was his and it was later found to be 0.43 grams of cannabis.

Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King also heard how on March 23, Buford entered Gibbons Company on Reid Street and took a bottle of women's perfume from off the shelf.

He then put the perfume in a white plastic bag and walked out of the store without paying.

The manager alerted Police and Buford was subsequently arrested and admitted stealing the perfume.

On May 15, Buford targetted a number of Hamilton stores.

He was seen at Triminghams in the men's department where he took a total of 15 bottles of men's cologne, valued at $359, and walked out of the store without paying.

He then hit the Sail On store on Reid Street and stole two golf shirts, which were valued at $77. He then stole a two glass dolphins from Carole Holding Studio, which were valued at $139.

Police were alerted and they stopped Buford later that day on Court Street carrying a large Triminghams bag.

When asked what was in the bag, Buford replied: "It's laundry.'' When the officers asked to search the bag, he said: "It smells.'' Mr. King said: "He is going to attend the Westgate facility,'' he said. "He has a long history of dishonesty and the public must be protected from this type of defendant.'' Buford, who is already serving three months at Westgate for another offence, received three months for each stealing offence, in addition to 28 days for the possession of cannabis.

Mr. King also activated a three month suspended sentence for a previous offence.