A Pembroke man, who broke into several homes and businesses while on probation for similar offences, will learn of his fate next month.

Magistrates' Court heard this week that Kenneth Richardson, 29, of Amaral Lane, broke into the Somerset home of Cora White on January 30 and stole $450 worth of jewellery.

Richardson, who admitted he had a drug problem, also broke into the Somerset home of Peter Sousa that day and stole $100 worth of collectible coins and jewellery. He was spotted by Sousa's brother, but he managed to escape, Police prosecutor Sgt. Rex Osborne said.

The coins were recovered outside a supermarket.

Two days before the Somerset break-ins, Richardson broke into West Pembroke School and took $37 worth of candy. Richardson also admitted stealing a diamond and sapphire ring and other jewellery totalling $1,680 from a Paget residence on February 1.

In September last year, Richardson went on a shopping spree with a credit card stolen from the home of Stonington Beach Hotel manager Mr. William Moulder.

Sgt. Rex Osborne said Mr. Moulder reported that his cottage was entered between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on September 22 and a credit card was stolen.

Richardson admitted falsely charging $159 worth of clothing from Gibbons Company. He also admitted doing the same at Trimingham's to obtain a $150 watch. And he did the same at H A & E Smith and English Sports Shop, where he obtained $205 and $159 worth of goods, respectively.

The court heard that Richardson also broke into Stonington Beach Hotel on September 22 and stole a handbag containing $1,003 in cash, cheques, and credit cards.

The following day Richardson entered Paget Drycleaners "by forcing an iron bar from the window''. Sgt. Osborne said Richardson forced open the cash register. But nothing was stolen. However, he was more successful when he broke into Wave Length Beauty Salon in Paget and took $10 in coins. But Richardson denied a charge of breaking into Bermuda, Fire & Marine.

Sgt. Osborne said that of the $3,953 worth of property Richardson stole, $2,380 worth had been recovered.

Richardson, who has previous convictions for robbery, possessing stolen weapons and other offences committed while living in New Jersey, was remanded in custody until March 21 when a social inquiry report on a separate matter is expected.