for two years in Magistrates' Court recently.

Richard Michael Dill, 34, was recognised by Senior Magistrate Archie Warner as a repeat theft and drug offender.

Duty counsel Elizabeth Christopher said Dill was "dual-diagnosed'', as suffering from psychological and drug problems.

Ms Christopher argued Dill, of Long Bay Lane, Sandys, should not be incarcerated but treated through alternative sentencing.

Mr. Warner fired back that alternative sentencing is not law and until that time, the current system would guide the court.

"Your argument would hold water if he wasn't a real threat to society,'' Mr.

Warner added.

Ms Christopher wanted Dill to be sent to a treatment programme because incarceration had not proved effective.

Prior to the current offences, Dill had been imprisoned before on similar charges.

Ms Christopher said because he is a threat, he should be rehabilitated rather than imprisoned for a relatively short period of time, then released without treatment.

Dill pleaded guilty attempting to break and enter a home and stealing a black purse, Sony Walkman, and $130 from an unlocked Mitsubishi Lancer October 24.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of vodka from Hamilton MarketPlace on October 23.

He claimed he was going to sell the alcohol for food.