THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2: A Pembroke man who stole a safe from a church to fuel his drug addiction was sentenced to three years behind bars this morning in Magistrates' Court.

Brian Carlton Rogers, 49, of North Terrace, admitted trespassing to steal the safe containing papers valued at $250 from the West Pembroke Pentecostal Church on October 11.

He also admitted possessing latex gloves and a multi-tooled knife used in connection with the offence, and obstructing a police officer while in the execution of their duty.

The court heard the maximum sentence for the trespassing offence was five years’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, or both.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner took into account Rogers' previous offences and said: "You have decided to embark on a life-long criminal career which is evidenced by your criminal history."

Mr Warner sentenced Rogers to three years’ imprisonment for each of the three offences, to be served concurrently.