pleaded guilty to two break-ins and admitted having a drug problem.

Terry Leon Robinson shrugged his shoulders as Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said he would order a social inquiry report into why, at age 44, he would begin housebreaking.

Robinson was given a three-month suspended sentence in November for a dishonesty offence.

"It seems to me that you need some help,'' Mr. Warner told Robinson. "If what you are telling me is true, that will be borne out by the report.'' Mr. Warner also suggested that the upcoming Drug Court for minor drug related offences and offenders "should be functioning by then'' and "you could be helped''.

"However I still consider you a threat to this society,'' he added. "There's a very good chance of you doing it again. I can't take that chance again.'' Crown Counsel Shade Subair told the court Robinson's fingerprints were found in the home of Corrine Dummitt after a break-in overnight on March 2.

Robinson got away with cash, a toaster, and food worth a total of $695, and had taken $50 in cash from Mrs. Dummitt's bedroom while she slept.

On March 5, Sonia Baptiste awoke to find $200 in cash missing from her home, despite securing all windows and doors.

Robinson told Police he did the crimes to support a drug habit for cocaine but denied this in court until Mr. Warner had caught him in a lie.

The admission -- a lowering of the head and a quiet "yes, yes, its true'' -- came after 20 minutes of questioning by Mr. Warner.

Robinson said while he had other convictions for dishonesty, "this is the first time I've ever broken into a place''.

He added: "I paint people's houses and I've seen money laying around and never touched it. I didn't tell them I had a drug habit. They're assuming that it was cocaine.''