A self-confessed heroin addict asked to be placed into the Drug Court programme this week after admitting that stealing from his 72-year-old grandmother was the lowest thing he has ever done.

"It's not in my nature to be stealing from my grandmother or anybody," Devon Cann, 34, of Spring Benny Road, Sandy's, told Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves when he pleaded guilty to stealing a total of $1,688 on two occasions earlier this year.

"I love my grandma dearly. She's done a lot for me."

Crown counsel Shakira Dill told Mr. Greaves that on May 5, Gwendolyn Cann fell asleep in her home after running errands and mistakenly left her purse unattended in her kitchen.

According to Ms Dill, when Mrs. Cann woke up and checked the contents of her purse, she discovered $1,000 had been removed.

Ms Dill fsaid that on September 10, Mrs. Cann went to the bank and when she got home laid her money on her bed and left her bedroom, closing the door behind her. After she discovered $688 was missing, Mrs. Cann told Police that her great-granddaughter said: "Uncle Devon had come to the house".

According to Ms Dill, Police found fingerprints which matched those of Devon Cann.

Cann, who said sometimes he spent up to $600 a day on his addiction, admitted to Police that on both occasions he used the money to purchase heroin.

But he told Mr. Greaves that the incident involving his grandmother was the "bottom" for him and that he had quit using the drug on September 11.

After he admitted that he had been a heroin user since he was 18, Mr. Greaves questioned how he was able to quit so suddenly.

"I went through withdrawal on my own," he said as he started to cry. "This whole situation is a hurting thing.

"Even though I'm clean, I need help."

Cann told Mr. Greaves that he wanted to enter a rehabilitation programme which will allow him to work and see his children.

"I have to take care of my children financially. Before my mind was clouded and I made a whole heap of bad decisions," he said.

Cann's father and pastor also spoke to Mr. Greaves, both saying that although he had made efforts in the past to kick his habit, they believed that he was now sincere about seeking help.

Telling Cann that he did not believe that he had not used heroin since September 11, Mr. Greaves explained that he did not feel that Cann was "clean".

"I am told by experts that among the illegal drugs, heroin is the most difficult to be rehabilitated from.

"I believe that if you have been using since you were 18, you cannot walk away from it by yourself. If you are serious, you can go to Drug Court."

"I want help so if Drug Court is going to help me, then that's what I'll do," Cann said.

Mr. Greaves then remanded Cann in custody until November 13 so that he can be assessed by the Bermuda Assessment and Referral Centre.