red handed breaking into an office building.

A staff member of the TNA International Limited was putting in some overtime when he spotted Michael Durrant Burns searching through the firm's office on South Road, Warwick, last Thursday evening.

When the office worker confronted Durrant Burns, the thief told him that he was searching for cash to pay off a debt. The member of staff then called the Police and managed to detain Durrant Burns until help arrived.

In Magistrates' Court yesterday Durrant Burns, 38, who lives at the Salvation Army hostel on Parsons Road and has a criminal record going back ten years, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering. He explained that he had a drug problem and needed treatment.

"I apologise for my actions but wish not to be sent to prison but St.

Brendan's or Harbour Light for rehabilitation treatment,'' Durrant Burns said.

But Magistrate Edward King replied: "You want help don't you? "I am not going to send you to St. Brendan's because you are not, in my opinion, suffering from any mental defect because you know that you want drug treatment.

"You are a repeat offender who claims to have a drug problem. But breaking and entering is a serious offence and punishment must be an immediate custodial sentence.

"I sentence you to nine months in prison with a recommendation that you be placed on a drug treatment and rehabilitation programme while you're at the Westgate facility.

"If you are out, you are not going to get treatment so I'm putting you inside.'' COURTS CTS