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Burglar jailed for eight years

As a result of court error, a story in yesterday's newspaper incorrectly reported the prison sentence of Anthony Webster Swan who was found gulity on three charges of breaking and entering. Swan's sentences were to run concurrently meaning he was jailed for three years not eight.

A burglar who broke into a guest house and cooked himself french fries was yesterday jailed for eight years.

Anthony Webster Swan, 31, was found guilty in the Supreme Court on three counts of breaking into tourist accommodation between October 10 and 13 last year. He denied the offences, saying he was with friends on the nights in question.

Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs Justice Wade told Swan: "When you break into tourist accommodation, not only is there a loss of property and personal distress caused, but it induces a sense of insecurity in the visitors we are trying to encourage to come here. It is an attack on the very fabric of the community.'' Earlier the court heard resident Mr. Andrew Carine say he returned to Edgehill Manor guest house on Rosemont Avenue, Pembroke, with his wife at 11 p.m. on October 11 and went to feed their cat in the kitchen. He saw a man run out the back door, and it appeared someone had been cooking french fries and drinking Coke. A quarter-drunk bottle of beer stood on a shelf, he said, although he and his wife do not drink alcohol.

Swan, of Rockaway Estate, Southampton, denied being the burglar but was found guilty of stealing potatoes, oil, cookies and Coke worth $8.35. He was also convicted on two other counts: breaking into Rosedon guest house on Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke and stealing a $4,500 Rolex watch, a $600 ring and $600 cash belonging to a US tourist; and breaking into the Royal Palms Club, on Rosemont Avenue, Pembroke.

He also denied breaking into a room at the Royal Palms and stealing a female tourist's purse, and was acquitted on that count.