A 49-year-old drug addict has been jailed for 18 months for a string of thefts.

Alexander Christopher pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court to seven thefts committed between July 20, 2017 and September 27 last year. He stole items including shirts, speakers, a drill set, sunglasses and soap.

Prosecutors said five of the seven thefts happened while Christopher was on bail and that he had a long list of previous convictions.

The Crown recommended a three-year period behind bars and probation.

Kenville Savoury, the duty counsel, said the thefts appeared to be a “cry for help”. He asked for a suspended sentence so Christopher could get assistance as part of the conditions for probation.

Christopher, from St George’s, asked the court for psychological treatment to help him tackle his addiction. He told the court: “Drug addiction begins in pain and it ends in pain.

“I feel myself I need help. I know I’m sick. I know that. I will admit it to you. Help me.”

Senior magistrate Juan Wolffe told Christopher: “You know I have tried to help you on many occasions. Don’t paint with a broad brush.”

Mr Wolffe said there was “merit” to Christopher’s claim that he had asked for help and that he had admitted the offences at an early stage.

He added: “He definitely needs help — psychological and drug counselling. Unless he receives that he will commit offences again. Therefore any sentence must not only be penal. It must also be therapeutic.

“I agree that a message needs to be sent to the community and the defendant that such offences will not be tolerated.

“However, any sentence must be coupled with a programme to assist the defendant with his offending behaviour.”

Mr Wolffe also sentenced Christopher to three years’ probation with conditions including random drug tests, a curfew and any counselling services recommended by Court Services.

Christopher said: “You might as well give me the whole 50, 100 years if this is the case. This is crazy. This is wrong.”

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