A 58-year-old Government clerk who stole almost $160,000 when he worked in the Accountant General's office had his sentencing adjourned yesterday in Supreme Court.

Clayton Albert Busby, of Harvey Hill, Devonshire, stole the money between March 13, 2002, and June 26, 2003, from the Government Employee Health Insurance scheme. He also pleaded guilty to forging Bank of Bermuda cheques.

Busby has admitted to stealing a total of $159,493.37, blaming it on an addiction to heroin.

While the maximum penalty for the offence is seven years in prison, Crown counsel Graveney Bannister called for a sentence in the range of three-and-a-half years because Busby had pled guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Bannister added that stealing money for an addiction was not a defence.

Busby's lawyer Peter Farge urged the court to look at a community-based sentence under the Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI), because Busby was now receiving help for his addiction at Turning Point.

Mr. Farge said: "He has expressed his remorse throughout."

Assistant Justice Philip Storr said: "He hasn't expressed it financially."

Mr. Farge said: "No, he spent it all on drugs."

Turning Point drug counsellor Veronica Outerbridge said Busby still showed signs of being an addict.

"I still see addictive behaviour and he wants to still manipulate," said Ms Outerbridge.

"He is very remorseful and has suffered the embarrassment and has lost the respect of many who know him."

Mr. Justice Storr said he had to think about the case a little more before passing sentence.

"We have to try to effect a balance," said Mr. Justice Storr.

Busby was remanded in custody until April 23 when the matter will be heard again.