Magistrate Edward King showed no mercy yesterday when he sentenced a 28-year-old Southampton man to 18 months in prison for two separate offences.

Cannoth Roberts changed his plea numerous times from guilty to not guilty to guilty again, for being in possession of a small glass bottle for use in connection with the misuse of a controlled substance and for illegally entering a Pembroke home.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines told the court that officers searched Roberts on December 23 and found the small glass bottle.

Mr. Caines said Roberts tried to run from officers and smashed the bottle on the ground, but it was collected as evidence and later revealed traces of cocaine.

Roberts pleaded with the court to let him pay the fine, adding that he had $30 at the Police station.

He added that he was working, but could not tell the court what his job was, nor where he lived, saying the cottage in Southampton belonged to his aunt.

?You are a repeat offender and have to be protected from yourself,? Mr. King told Roberts.

He sentenced Roberts to nine months in prison.

In the other matter, Roberts was charged for illegally and without permission entering a Pembroke home on December 16.

Mr. Caines told the court that Roberts had climbed to the second floor apartment, entered through a sliding door and confronted the owner for money.

Roberts said the occupant had promised to pay him for washing his car and he had waited outside the apartment for an hour, grown tired of waiting and decided to find the man. ?If you knock on my door and I don?t answer and you then open the door and come inside, you are breaking the law,? Mr. King told Roberts.

?But if you?re sitting inside reading a book and you don?t answer the door?? Roberts asked.

?If you come into my house without permission you are breaking the law, if you stick your head inside the door, if you just hover in the door, you are breaking the law,? Mr. King responded.

Roberts was sentenced to an additional nine months, which will run consecutive with the previous sentence as a total of 18 months in prison.

Roberts will also appear in the Magistrates? Court on March 14 for two other offences which will be tried in the Supreme Court.