A homeless man who stole more than $33,200 worth of jewellery, plus power tools and foodstuffs from Sandys residents was sent to prison for four years in Magistrates? Court last week.

Charles Kenneth Ratteray, 41, pleaded guilty to six counts of trespassing to steal in Sandys in August and September of this year. In one house, Ratteray stole $22,373 worth of jewellery including a diamond wedding band set.

In another house, he stole $8,000 worth of jewellery and some raisin bread. In the other houses he stole power tools, a DVD player, rolls of coins and foodstuffs.

Junior Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess told the court that after a rash of burglaries in the Sandys area, one of the complainants noticed Ratteray making off with their power tool case.

?The complainant tried to stop him, but he escaped,? Ms Burgess said.

Ratteray was finally arrested for burglary at the Sandys Community Centre on August 11.

During a taped interview with Police, the defendant admitted to committing the offences. He said he had a $450 a day cocaine habit.

Ratteray had nothing to say to the court.

Duty counsel Leo Mills said that his client had indicated remorse.

?This is another tragic example where a young man?s addiction to drugs has caused him to spiral into a number of acts against the law,? said Mr. Mills.

?He tells me these crimes were committed while he was using drugs. He has been to a drug programme, but didn?t keep up with it and found himself before the courts again. There are all too many examples of young men like him.?

Acting Senior Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo said that the great tragedy was that Ratteray didn?t want to help himself.

?He?s been in and out of prison,? said Mr. Tokunbo.

?He admitted the breach of probation. We have to protect the community. The only thing in Mr. Ratteray?s favour is that he has admitted his own guilt.?

The Senior Magistrate sentenced Ratteray to four years in prison for each count to run concurrently.

?Because we live in hope when you are released you are subject to three years probation again with the same terms,? the Senior Magistrate told Ratteray during sentencing.

?You need some supervision and the community needs to be protected from you.?