A prolific burglar who was first convicted 34 years ago was yesterday given the maximum sentence for his crimes in Supreme Court.

Charles Howard Ebbin, who turned 47 on Thursday and is of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to a burglary spree across Pembroke between the August 8 and August 23 of this year ? totalling six counts of breaking and entering.

In all, Ebbin made away with cash or goods to the value of $1,464 and caused over $4,400 of property damage.

Crown counsel Graveney Bannister said Police had not been able to recover any of the stolen cash or items ? the proceeds of which were used by the defendant to purchase drugs.

Det. Con. Rhonda Pitt read out a lengthy list of the defendant?s previous convictions dating back to 1971, which led Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves to remark before sentencing Ebbin that his was a ?long and atrocious record?.

He added that the defendant had ?seemed to receive every sentence in his history?, yet continued with his criminal activities.

Having spent time in jail, as well as receiving psychiatric and drug treatments, Ebbin, said Mr. Justice Greaves, ?will continue as long as he has life and breath?.

Ebbin was sentenced to five years in prison, to run concurrently for each offence.