A crack cocaine addict eloquently apologised for a series of break-ins yesterday before he was sentenced to four and a half years in prison by the Chief Justice, Austin Ward.

Clarence Nicole Simmons pleaded guilty to more than 20 counts relating to five break and entries during which he made "neat searches'' and stole cheques.

The charges were grouped into two indictments for which he was given identical sentences which are to be served concurrently.

Simmons, 33, of Cottage Hill, Hamilton Parish, told Mr. Justice Ward: "I just want to apologise to the people I committed my crimes against.

"They didn't deserve it,'' he continued. "Drugs was the main cause of me doing this. I have been in denial -- that's what it all boils down to.

"I believe my problem goes further than the drugs. I say that because of what I'm about and what I'm like when I don't do drugs is different. The drugs caused me to do it. But what caused me to do the drugs?'' He added: "When I looked at my record, it was like a nightmare. It's scary.

"There are many people that I've hurt. I want this to end. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be rehabilitated. I'm willing to let young people know that this is not the way and my life depends on it.'' Crown Counsel Patrick Doherty said Simmons filled out cheques in his name and presented them at various businesses.

At one point he was in the Bermuda Financial Services offices trying to present a cheque when suspicious staffers noticed that it was purportedly made out to Simmons by Michael Way.

Mr. Way was coincidentally in the BFS offices and Simmons repaid for money he had stolen from his home.

In another incident, Simmons met the pregnant occupant of a Harvest Lane, Hamilton Parish home.

He told the woman he was there to get money owed to him by her husband but left quickly.

In all Simmons stole $7,734 in the break-ins and has paid back just over $700.

He has been in custody since early April. His criminal record runs to 13 pages and details convictions since he was 17.

Lawyer Richard Horseman asked for a "split sentence'' of imprisonment and counselling or probation for Simmons who he said had "absolutely no chance of getting away'' with the dishonesty offences.

"He realises that drugs are a problem for him,'' Mr. Horseman said. "This is a case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He is certainly one of the more intelligent and eloquent defendants that I've had to deal with.

"The law shouldn't give up on Mr. Simmons yet,'' he added. "If he is stupid enough to go and do this again, then yes (punish him severely). We should help him get his life back together again.'' Mr. Justice Ward ordered that Simmons serve two thirds of his four and a half years in prison and one third in the Salvation Army's Harbour Light facility.

Simmons has been assessed and accepted into the Salvation Army's in-house drug treatment programme.

If he fails any part of the programme he will be sent back to prison to finish out his sentence.