his habit yesterday when he was jailed for 18 months for theft.

Jamal Williams, who said he had a $200 a day cocaine and heroin habit, admitted stealing four motorcycles in Hamilton between August 31 and October 11.

Williams, 29, told Assistant Justice Norma Wade-Miller, he had had a drug problem for the past 15 years.

Sentencing him at Supreme Court, Mrs. Justice Wade-Miller said: "Because you have a long history of criminal activity, you have been sent here by the magistrate who felt you required a longer sentence that he could impose.

"You have admitted these offences because of your heroin and cocaine abuse.'' She ordered Williams, a father of one, to undergo drug rehabilitation and anger management classes.

The court heard Williams had a criminal record stretching back to 1988, which included possession of drugs, theft, breaking and entering, and obstructing and assaulting Police.

Crown counsel Charlene Scott said Williams had been sentenced to prison before but didn't seem to have learned his lesson. She suggested an 18 month sentence.

Williams told the court: "I would like to apologise to the people I've offended (against) and to apologise for my family for all I have put them through.

"I would like some treatment. I have been on heroin for 15 years, that's why I committed these offences.''