A father of four with a heroin addiction was sentenced to 18 months in Westgate Correctional Facility, the same institution where he claims he became addicted.

Kenneth Faries, 32, appeared in Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to seven counts of forgery and stealing.

Crown counsel Charmaine Smith told the court that the man attempted to buy over $2,500 worth of marine supplies using a false Bermuda Forwarders Ltd.

purchase order in October.

When arrested and questioned, Faries, who was then employed at Bermuda Forwarders, told Police that he obtained the order from another employee whom he paid $600 and that he was instructed as to what name to use.

The court also heard that Faries stole money from Patricia Hill, owner of J&J Produce, in December. Ms Smith told the court that he took a cash box worth $100 from the J&J Produce stand when Ms Hill, turned her back to serve him.

The box contained $650.

Faries also admitted he broke into the home of Patricia Simmons on December 23.

Ms Simmons told Police she left her windows and doors locked when she left her home that morning, but that she returned to find Faries in her bed.

He left her home after words were exchanged taking with him her cell phone, keys, car, and a quantity of cash.

The man told Police that the matter was domestic and not criminal and said he was only trying to annoy Ms Simmons in revenge for her breaking up with him.

He told the court: "I was living with the girl so how did I break in.'' But Warner said: "You may have had a relationship with this lady but after she told you she no longer wanted you there and you weren't there then you did break in.'' Faries then explained that he hoped to win her back by stealing from her and added:"You know how women are.'' Mr. Warner said he did not know, adding: "That's a strange way to try to get her back.'' "Everybody does strange things when they are on drugs your honour,'' Faries replied.

The Paget man pleaded with Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner not to send him back to Westgate before Mr. Warner handed down a 12 month sentence for each offence to run concurrently.

Mr. Warner also activated a six month suspended sentence given on December 1 for forgery.

Telling the court he would prefer trying a different programme rather than serve time in jail, Faries said he was already seeking help for his drug addiction through the "turning point'' programme at St. Brendan's .

Saying that he did not want to spend any more time in jail, he said heroin was unlike any other drug. "Once it gets you it's got you,'' Faries said.

When the sentence was read out, the man said that he became hooked on drugs at Westgate.

But Mr. Warner simply said: "I have no power to put you anywhere but Westgate.''