report on a 47-year-old Pembroke man who stole from St. John's Church to support his drug habit.

Everest DeSilva, of Marsh Lane, pleaded guilty to stealing $330 from the St.

John's Sunday School office whe he appeared in Magistrates' Court.

Prosecutor Sgt. Rex Osborne said DeSilva worked as a maintenance man in the grave yard of St. John's Church in Smith's Parish when the offence occurred.

DeSilva entered the church's offices on June 23, took keys off a desk, and had the keys duplicated before he returned the original set.

At 1 p.m. the same day he returned and used his duplicate keys to enter an office were he took $150 from inside an envelope, Sgt. Osborne said. DeSilva then used the money to purchase alcohol and cocaine.

About four hours later he returned and took an additional $180 so that he could buy drugs, Sgt. Osborne said.

DeSilva said he called the Police and willingly reported the crime.

Sgt. Osborne noted that DeSilva also fully cooperated with Police and asked for help with his 16-year-old drug problem.

Mr. Francis granted DeSilva bail in the sum of $500 and ordered him to return to court on July 28.