An experimental Supreme Court sentence which allowed a father with a "horrendous record'' to go abroad for drug treatment has backfired.

And repeat offender Stephen Wilson, 34, was back in court yesterday pleading guilty to house-breaking on July 27 last year in a raid which netted him $10,000 worth of cash and jewellery.

Puisne Judge Norma Wade Miller lambasted Wilson for not grasping the chance and attending the overseas course -- instead he remained free in Bermuda -- before sentencing him to another three years in prison.

But defence counsel Renee Foggo lamented the lack of suitable substance abuse facilities in Bermuda for hardened addicts -- arguing that Westgate's programme which begins with just six intensive weeks was not enough.

In July 1997 Chief Justice Austin Ward gave the self-confessed drug addict the opportunity to get help by allowing him to serve half his three-year prison sentence in a United States rehabilitation clinic.

Wilson duly applied for and was accepted into the programme and Westgate officials freed him to allow him to make his way there.

But after travelling to Canada he was refused access to the US because of his long history of dishonesty offences so he tried to enter "by the back door'' by going through Jamaica but was again denied entry.

Ms Foggo argued that it was beyond Wilson's control that he was refused entry.

"It must be said that it is peculiar that he was allowed to leave Westgate to go to the programme before his visa was in place,'' she said.

"Yes he has a horrendous record and he's been in and out of prison for twenty years. But if his problem is not addressed fully then prison will simply continue as a revolving door.'' Ms Foggo argued that long-term addicts needed longer courses which were currently available only overseas.

But the judge said: "I'm afraid when your client failed to live up to the unusual conditions of the sentence he blew his last generous chance.'' "He was given an excellent opportunity and he blew it, he just walked. As far as I am concerned there will be no more chances like that. If he wants help he will have to make do with the facilities here in Bermuda.'' Wilson apologised to the family whose house he broke into and said he was "ashamed of the degrading acts'' he had committed.

He pleaded for help to overcome his addiction and said he was determined to become a good father rather than "just another drug statistic''. But the judge said she had to consider that there was a victim of every single crime Wilson committed and until he overcame his drug problem he was a danger from which the community needed to be protected.