A 54-year-old Hamilton Parish man was sentenced to nine years in prison for possession with intent to supply over $60,000 worth of heroin.

Yesterday in Supreme Court, Cleveland Hewlett Trott admitted to possession with intent to supply over 15 grams of heroin and possession of drug equipment ? a digital scale. He also pleaded guilty to possession of 1.70 grams of cannabis.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court the drugs were found by Police in the defendant's house on My Lord's Bay Road, Hamilton Parish, along with $8,650 in local currency.

When Police found the drugs in his house, Trott attempted to run but was caught, the court heard.

Trott said to Police: "These drugs are mine but I can't go to jail with all these kids."

Puisne Justice Charles Etta Simmons heard a long list of antecedents dating back to 1979.

She also heard Trott had served a ten-year prison term for possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court that the maximum sentence for Trott's offence is life imprisonment, a fine, or both.

She asked the court to impose a sentence of seven to ten years and forfeiture of the $8,650.

Trott, who appeared without legal representation, told the court: "I feel I should be punished."

He admitted to having a heroin addiction which he said he has "tried and tried" to stop.

Trott said when he finished his ten-year stint at Westgate he was doing well and off drugs but his mother fell ill with cancer and he "slipped" back into heroin use.

"I don't even feel like I can ask the court for mercy because I know I was wrong.

"I won't give up ? I can tell you that," Trott said.

Mrs. Justice Simmons sentenced Trott to nine years in prison for possession of heroin with intent to supply, one year for possession of drug equipment, and two years for possession of cannabis ? all to run concurrently.

"If you complete drugs programmes then you are entitled to early release," she said.

Mrs. Justice Simmons ordered the drug money to be forfeited.

"Society definitely needs protection from you ? you are fast becoming the grandfather of drug dealing," she added.