A Pembroke man who admitted importing almost 4kg of cannabis into Bermuda to help care for his sick mother has been jailed.

Kieron Francis received a 32-month sentence after plant material was found in a workout bench he owned, as his bags were checked at LF Wade International Airport.

Its estimated street value was between $68,800 and $196,625.

Magistrates’ Court heard today that the 30-year-old had no previous convictions, was unemployed after struggling to find an IT job and committed the crime to help support his mother, who has Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and dementia.

He was paid $4,000 in advance for smuggling the cannabis into the island, and was set to receive a further $6,000 if he had been successful.

Senior magistrate Juan Wolffe sentenced Francis to a concurrent 12 months in prison on two charges of possessing drug equipment.

Mr Wolffe told him: “You obviously made a huge mistake. You’re not a stupid individual.

“You’ve got to use this opportunity to improve yourself while you’re in Westgate (prison). Do something positive, give back to society.”

The defendant said: “I’d like to apologise to the court and my family. It’s hard to watch your loved ones go through such pain. (I did it) out of fear of losing a loved one. I’m remorseful for my actions.”

An emotional Francis then turned to his family, who were watching on, and added: “I promise henceforth I will be a better man.”