three-year prison term by Chief Justice Austin Ward recently.

Gerald Edward Smith, 36, of Westgate Correctional Facility, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a dwelling house and theft.

Crown Counsel Leighton Rochester told the court sometime between April 9 and April 24 this year Smith broke into the Watlington Lane, Devonshire home of Thomas Simmons.

The court heard the owner of the residence was overseas during the theft. On his return Mr. Simmons discovered the washer and dryer were stolen. None of these items were recovered by the Police.

Crown Counsel Leighton Rochester told Mr. Justice Ward that Smith was a habitual criminal with some 40 convictions over a 26-year period. Ten of these offences were of a similar nature. Mr. Rochester said Smith was a roving thief.

"He shows a propensity for breaking and entering houses, he started from the east and he is heading west,'' said Mr. Rochester.

Lawyer Mark Pettingill, representing Smith, told Mr. Justice Ward that his client took the washer and dryer because he was owed money for work done on the complainant's property.

Mr. Pettingill said he was disappointed with his client's behaviour. Mr.

Pettingill said he had spent many hours talking to Smith at Westgate Correctional Facility and helped him to get a job.

Mr. Pettingill continued by saying that Smith had acquired skills from an earlier prison term and he was a top craftsman.

He asked Mr. Justice Ward to "cut a second chance for his client'', and not to imprison him again. Mr. Pettingill also suggested that his client should be made to report to the Police Station on a daily basis instead of receiving a prison term.

Mr. Justice Ward, in passing a three-year sentence said he had taken into account Mr. Pettingill's suggestions, but the public had to be protected.