drugs programme.

Richard Lewis, 44, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court last week to ten counts of cheque fraud, forgery and theft worth around $700.

He also admitted a separate charge of theft for posing as a charity collector for PALS, obtaining $489.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis asked for a social inquiry report and remanded Lewis in custody until May 12.

But Lewis, of North Shore Road in Pembroke, told the court he wanted to go straight to jail.

Lawyer Peter Farge said: "He has requested an immediate sentence so he can go straight into the drug treatment programme at Westgate.'' Remand prisoners cannot receive drugs counselling, he told Mr. Francis.

Mr. Francis delayed sentencing for "a few days'', but cancelled the social inquiry report.