A Southampton man with a $700-a-day heroin habit will spend the next eight months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of stealing.

Sean Antoine Mallory yesterday told Senior Magistrate Will Francis his actions in stealing a livery cycle, $260 worth of liquor, electronic equipment, and cash on four different heists were a "spur of the moment thing''.

Mallory, of Lighthouse Hill, was imprisoned to two six-month sentences for stealing the livery cycle from Eve's Cycles in St. George's on July 28, and a case of Gosling's Black Seal Rum from a Cosmopolitan Liquors truck on the same day.

Mr. Francis also handed down an eight-month sentence for breaking and entering the Music Box in St. George's on July 10 and stealing two portable compact disk players and four compact disks. Mallory will also serve eight months for stealing $200 cash, a cassette recorder, a hair clipper, and other property from Bersalon on Water Street, St. George's on July 28.

All of the sentences will be served concurrently.

Crown counsel Lesley Basden said Mallory was caught by a Cosmopolitan Liquors truck driver as he put the case in the basket of a livery cycle -- which was later found to be stolen.

Mallory got away, but he was later arrested for the offences and breaking into Bersalon.

In both the Bersalon and Music Box crimes, Mallory entered the premises during working hours and unlocked a back window when staff were not looking. Each time he would return during the night and leave by the front door. Ms Basden said Mallory told Police he had a "$700 to $800 a day heroin habit'' and he helped recover some of the stolen goods.

"I have to say that by committing these crimes, I was not acting by a plan,'' Mallory said. "It was spur of the moment. I am a working man. I'm a landscaper and a painter.'' But Mr. Francis said he saw no other option in sending Mallory to prison.

"These are two particularly serious offences,'' he told Mallory. "I give you credit for your assistance to Police and your frank admissions.''