prison sentence yesterday.

John Anderson caused more than $40,000 damage when his car ploughed into several Police vehicles in Cottage Hill, Hamilton Parish.

The Supreme Court heard Police had wanted 27-year-old Anderson in connection with various break-ins and thefts.

Before being sentenced, Anderson told Chief Justice the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward: "I am very sorry for what has happened.'' He blamed the offences on drugs, and apologised for the pain he had caused his family.

"During the time spent in custody I've had time to think about things,'' he added.

"I wish I did not have to be before you today. I wish I could take it all back.'' Anderson, whose last address was in Southampton, had admitted robbery and charges of taking motor cars, breaking and entering, escaping custody, and causing damage.

He admitted his role in two separate indictments -- the first relating to robbery, the other the car chase.

Crown Counsel Mr. Peter DeJulio said the robbery occurred at about 3 a.m. on December 6 last year.

He said the victim left the Swinging Doors bar in Court Street, and was accosted as he walked home along Elliott Street.

The victim was struck on the back of the head and fell to ground. Anderson, acting with an accomplice, robbed the man of more than $30.

Mr. DeJulio said the second incident occurred on December 20 last year after Police discovered someone had broken into Ray Brothers Ltd. car compound in Bakery Lane.

Damage was caused to the front and rear of a truck by using it to smash the gate.

A new unlicensed and uninsured beige Mazda was driven out of the compound and abandoned a few yards away from the gate.

Mr. DeJulio said a second car -- a white Mazda, also unlicensed and uninsured -- was then removed.

Later that morning, Police received a report of a shop break-in, Mr. DeJulio continued.

Someone had used a ladder to climb into the Green Lantern restaurant and steal food and other goods, valued at about $800.

Police later spotted Anderson running off from his home. And while in the area, they came across the abandoned white Mazda.

The Green Lantern food was discovered in the trunk of the car, which was recognised as the one taken from Ray Brothers.

Mr. DeJulio then relayed events surrounding the car chase.

He said Police in the afternoon saw Anderson driving along North Shore in a Mazda. They followed him to Cottage Hill, where a roadblock was set up.

Anderson tried to drive through the roadblock, damaging Police cars, a van and a motorcycle.

Stolen property was found in the car, said Mr. DeJulio.

He added the next day Anderson escaped from Police custody at Central Office CID.

Mr. DeJulio, describing the offences as "outrageous'', recommended Anderson be sentenced up to 18 months in prison.

In lengthy mitigation, Anderson's lawyer, Mr. Mark Pettingill, urged the Chief Justice to take into account his client's guilty pleas.

He pointed out the robbery was not at the "upper end of the scale'', and appeared to flow from a debt.

"These offences are of an outrageous nature. We would say they are offences completely out of character.'' Mr. Pettingill also suggested Anderson had been under the influence of a hallucinogenic substance.