of a Somerset man who has been jailed 14 times in the past 28 years.

Wendell Wayne Ible, 40, of East Shore Road, was appealing the sentence imposed on him by the Supreme Court for burglary earlier this year.

Ible, while on a two-year probation for breaking and entering and stealing, broke into an East Shore Lane home between February 8 and 9 and stole German currency and costume jewellery, totalling more than $2,000.

Ible was spotted the next day by Police who realised he was breaking a court curfew order. He had some of his haul with him.

Yesterday, Ible, who was unrepresented, called his sentence "harsh''.

"I cooperated with Police and returned everything that I stole,'' he said.

"I took them to where I had the stuff and told them where it all came from.'' But the Hon. Sir Denys Roberts, president, said it was difficult to pass a light sentence on Ible, considering his criminal record.

"One of the problems is that you've been in prison 13 times, not counting this case,'' Sir Denys said.

"You've been in and out of prison since 1964. It's very difficult to pass a light sentence in view of this sort of background you have.

"You're age 40 and have been in trouble since you were 12 and the judge has finally imposed a substantial sentence of four years.'' Crown Counsel Mr. Diarmuid Doorley said Ible's sentence was appropriate and he asked the court to remind Ible about preventive detention.

Sir Denys told Ible the court has the right to impose a sentence of five to 14 years if the person convicted is over 21 years old and has three previous convictions.