A Police sergeant yesterday came to the aid of a career criminal who admitted to a weekend robbery spree.

Father of four Stephen Frederick Cann, also known as Adib Abdul-Jabbar, pleaded guilty to stealing a crowbar and four hammers worth $123 from Hasco Construction at the Lines Brothers construction site last November.

He then used the tools to break into the Harnett & Richardson offices, where he stole a football jersey, $3 in cash from JB Astwood & Son, and a t-shirt from Makin Waves, all on Front Street.

The owner of the custom-made jersey, which featured his name stitched on the back of it, saw 47-year-old Cann wearing it at 12.30 a.m. on November 16 on Front Street. Cann, who has a criminal record dating back to 1969, admitted to the overnight robberies and ten other unsolved crimes.

Unrepresented in the Supreme Court yesterday, Cann told Chief Justice Austin Ward that contrary to the Police report he was not of no fixed abode and that, "cocaine has been my nemesis. I have received treatment all over Bermuda...,'' Cann said, "but I have been going to the emergency room when I should have been going to surgery.'' Investigating officer Det. Sgt. Chris Graham Ward, who has known Cann since 1987, said: "I have always known him to be genuine although he makes faulty decisions. He could get over his problems, but needs specialised treatment.'' Harbour Light programme director Nelson Bascome and PLP MP confirmed that Cann was addicted to gambling -- which he said could not be treated on the Island -- as well as cocaine. He recommended that Cann be sent to the Salvation Army Harbour Light in Toronto.

Cann must enter the Canadian programme, which usually takes six months, and upon his return he must continue with the Salvation Army programme here.

Mr. Justice Ward warned him that if he did not enter the programme or tested positive for drugs while in it, he would face incarceration at Westgate Correctional Facility until November, 1999.