habit.

And Christopher, 32, of Scotts Hill Road, Sandys, admitted stealing $675 worth of goods and causing $4,839.26 worth of damage during the raids.

Christopher appeared in Supreme Court for sentencing on Friday after a magistrate decided that he could not deal with his case and his long record.

Prosecuting Crown Counsel Mr. Mark Pettingill said that between July 23-25, burglaries had been carried out at a private house, a hair salon, Woody's Drive-in, Dean's Bakery and Somerset Primary School.

The worst damage was at the school where an intruder had smashed down doors with a fire extinguisher, causing $4,190 worth of damage while stealing just $12.

Christopher had been arrested by the Police and gave a full confession, also admitting raids on a doctor's office and a local church. Nothing was stolen in both cases.

Unemployed Christopher had only left Casemates Prison in May, and Mr.

Pettingill said: "The public has a right to be protected from offenders like Mr. Christopher, particularly the people living close to his home who seem to suffer most from his activities.'' In mitigation, Mr. Tim Marshall said: "Before you stands a man whose life has been basically ruined by his decision to involve himself in the taking of drugs many years ago.'' Mr. Marshall said that Christopher had a promising school career, especially on the football pitch. And he was selected for Bermuda in 1975.

He said: "Regrettably he began experimenting with marijuana and then became involved in experimenting with cocaine.

"You are not dealing with an individual who is a hardened criminal who is cold and calculated in the offences he commits. He is a rather desperate offender who works on impulse whenever his craving for cocaine is strong.'' Mr. Marshall said that his client had been receiving treatment for drugs and schizophrenia.

He said: "He does want to break away from this life. He wants to lead a life that is drug free. He has not forgotten the days when he was respected as a premier footballer.

"He is in a Catch 22 situation because he is schizophrenic, the Drug Advisory Service feels it is unequipped to deal with him.'' Mr. Marshall said that Christopher had the full support of his family and had a job waiting for him when he left Casemates. He asked that Christopher be spared prison so he could receive full treatment for his problem.

Puisne Judge the Hon. Richard Ground said: "There is a long record of petty crimes which escalated in seriousness. It seems he steals simply to support his habit.'' Mr. Brown said that he had no choice but to impose a custodial sentence but stressed the need for Christopher to be given counselling and treatment while in Casemates.

He sentenced him to two years imprisonment.