he admitted breaking into a house and stealing some $300.

Dean O'Brien pleaded guilty to breaking and entering Marsha Smith's Swansville Road, Warwick residence on April 24 and stealing a bottle full of coins from her dresser.

Magistrates' Court heard that the house was broken into at some time between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and O'Brien was arrested later that day.

He was found to be in possession of a large amount of coins and admitted that he had committed the crime and used some of the money to buy drugs.

Duty counsel Julianna Jack said O'Brien was motivated to break the law by the fact that he had been unable to find any work since being released from prison last July.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis said he had to impose a custodial sentence and told O'Brien to address his drug addiction.