Sinclair Anthony Simmons faced four years in prison after admitting charges of the theft of thousands of dollars worth of goods during a three month shoplifting spree.

But Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs. Justice Wade said she would give Simmons one last chance if his lawyer Mr. Tim Marshall could get a commitment to help with his client's problems.

Mr. Marshall claimed Simmons, 42, of Tills Hill, Pembroke, was a cocaine addict but was willing to get treatment.

Prosecuting Crown Counsel Mr. Melvyn Douglas said there were four separate "informations'' against Simmons, who was asked to take six other offences into consideration.

Between November, last year, and January, this year, Simmons admitted stealing $3,000 worth of jewellery from Harrington Jewellers; a $375 leather jacket from Karl's Guys and Dolls; a video camera, worth $1,032.95 from Stuart's on Reid Street; a holdall and tracksuits, worth $359.85, from another Front Street store; a $180 rain jacket from Trimingham's and eight bottles of Cockspur rum, worth $139.90, from the MarketPlace.

Simmons also snatched a knapsack belonging to a customer at the Chequerboard Restaurant. The knapsack contained personal papers and $128 in cash.

After his arrest he asked for six other offences of stealing goods totalling just under $4,000 to be taken into consideration.

Mr. Douglas added that since 1986, Simmons had been convicted of 34 similar offences.

Police officers involved in the incident admitted to Mr. Marshall that none of offences had involved weapons or attempts to disguise his identity.

Insp. Edward Coghlin Gibbons said: "It is my experience that the defendant has a cocaine addiction because of statements made by him and certain behaviour.'' He agreed that one of motivations behind Simmons's crimes was the need to get money to support his drug problem.

Mr. Douglas called on the judge to sentence him on at least one charge consecutively because it had occurred while he was on bail for another of the charges. He said there could be a case for three to four years in prison.

He said: "He says he wants to straighten up his life but last time he left prison he had nowhere to live and got back in with his old friends.

"The defendant's addiction to cocaine is not a mitigating factor in this case. He has been given ample opportunities to help himself by going to Drug Addiction Services.

"The probation officer feels the defendant does not possess the commitment to follow through. No-one can help him unless he is willing to help himself.'' In defence Mr. Marshall said: "Cocaine addiction can devastate an individual's life, and clearly Mr. Simmons's entire life is an example of that.'' He said the rest of the family were responsible individuals, and his children were in good schools or jobs.

Mr. Marshall said: "Mr. Simmons lives in a derelict house, he has no steady income and he resorts to shoplifting to support his cocaine addiction.

It is a sad commentary on what cocaine can do to this community.'' Both social services and addiction services had not "given up'' on Simmons according to Mr. Marshall, adding: "Mr. Simmons appears to have committed himself to the Lord, reading the Bible on a day-to-day basis.

"This is not a situation where everybody is saying you have exhausted all your chances.'' Mrs. Justice Wade interrupted: "I have not heard anyone saying they are going to give him a job or a place to live. That is what he needs.

"I do not see the support structure in place to release him back to the community. Surely sending him back to his derelict conditions will not serve his interests.'' Mr. Marshall said he believed the Salvation Army would offer accommodation for his client.

But the judge asked for a commitment and suggested Mr. Marshall get a written report or representatives in court to give that undertaking.

She said: "It is clear that he is shoplifting to support his habit. If there is anything that can turn his life around then I am willing to give him one last chance to try it.'' The case was adjourned for two weeks.

LAWYER --Mr. Tim Marshall.