to a break-in that netted him more than $10,000 in cash and jewellery.

Lincoln Christopher, 28, of Ballast Road, St. David's, carried out a daring daylight raid on a house in St. Luke's Lane in May, along with an accomplice.

Although the thieves were quickly apprehended, Police were only able to recover about $8,000 of the stolen property.

Christopher, a painting contractor who is single with two young daughters, has a criminal record dating back to 1985 and was last released from prison two years ago. His 13 year criminal career includes convictions for numerous drugs offences, theft, indecent exposure, assaulting a Police officer and causing wilful damage.

Yesterday Christopher's attorney, Richard Horseman, pleaded with Chief Justice Austin Ward, that his client should be allowed a probationary sentence, as he had never benefited from a rehabilitation programme.

"He does have a fairly lengthy past but I would ask your lordship that this is his first offence of breaking and entering,'' Mr. Horseman said.

"The fact that it took place in the daytime and the majority of the property has been recovered a sentence in the summary jurisdiction may be appropriate.

"He has been fined and he has been to prison and it's no secret that our penal system is sadly lacking in rehabilitation programmes. We can't expect to put people in prison and give them time and then throw them out on the street without a job. He's never been given the opportunity of going into rehabilitation'' But Chief Justice Austin Ward countered: "The authorities cannot rehabilitate defendants, the defendant, by transforming his own mind, must rehabilitate himself.

"He's blaming others for his condition rather than taking on the responsibility of correcting his problems himself. Once you blame other people rather than yourself you can never hope to succeed.'' Sentencing Christopher to two years and three months in prison, Chief Justice Ward said: "I have taken into account your plea of guilty and the other factors but breaking and entering into people's homes is a serious crime and people must be able to feel secure in their own homes.'' Christopher's sentence will not start until next June because he is already serving a prison term for other offences. He will also serve an additional four months for assaulting a Police officer last November. The sentence had been suspended but kicked in following his plea of guilty to the break-in.