A drug addict crept into his neighbour's house and stole cash from her wallet, a court heard.

Shawn Hollis, 37, was sentenced to two years' probation yesterday for the burglary, committed across the street from his mother's Hamilton Parish home.

Supreme Court heard Hollis entered Josephine Outerbridge's kitchen and took $45 from her key case. He was spotted by a neighbour.

The incident took place in Kitty's Drive on April 1.

Hollis was arrested by Police two days later. He pleaded guilty at a court appearance on July 10.

Yesterday Puisne Judge Charles Etta Simmons sentenced Hollis to probation and three months' imprisonment, the jail sentence already having been served.

The judge told him: "The victim unfortunately in this case is someone you know, your neighbour. If family and neighbours aren't safe, who is safe?"

Prosecutor Michael McColm told the court the burglary took place at 10 a.m. as the complainant was in her driveway.

Mr. McColm said: "She had left her kitchen door open and had placed her folder key case on her dining room table. It contained $45 in cash.

"The complainant received information from a neighbour and went into the kitchen to check her key case. She saw it was open and that the keys were spread apart. She opened the case and discovered someone had stolen $45."

Miss Outerbridge confronted the defendant at his mother's house.

"He admitted he had walked through her kitchen door and taken her money," said Mr. McColm.

"He stated he had used the money to buy a second-hand air conditioning unit which he installed in his window."

Mr. McColm said Hollis had a heroin addiction and recommended a period of probation, during which time he should seek drug rehabilitation treatment.

Craig Attridge, defending, said: "Mr. Hollis is committed to remaining drug free and is more than willing to adhere and comply with any conditions imposed on him in respect to that commitment to remain drug free."

Hollis said: "I really want to apologise to Miss Outerbridge. I have apologised three times and now I apologise to the court."