with drugs''.

Sixteen-year-old Neko Cann was led away from Magistrates' Court in handcuffs after being sentenced to a period of corrective training.

Family and friends wept and hugged the youngster who had admitted to the court abusing drugs regularly.

Cann, of Texas Road, was in court after breaching probation a number of times over the past three months. Senior Magistrate, the Wor. Will Francis had been forced to serve a warrant for Police to apprehend Cann yesterday.

The court heard he was on probation after a spate of motorcycle thefts, the most recent being in March and July.

Mr Francis asked Cann why he had failed to comply with his probation. He replied: "Over the last couple of weeks I have been abusing drugs pretty regularly.'' Mr. Francis said: "I have heard what you have just told me and I know from your probation officer that you have not lived up to your curfew.

"When the Police tried to serve a warrant on you this weekend to get you here yesterday it was virtually impossible. The excuse you give is that you have been abusing drugs.

"There is only one course for me to take, because you have so badly broken probation -- and that is to sentence you to corrective training.

"It is impossible to give you any other chance. If I give you another chance it would be a chance to destroy yourself.

"The only way I can save you from yourself is to sentence you to corrective training.'' Corrective training means that Cann will be sent to the co-ed facility in St.

George's, until officers feel he is ready to be allowed homes.