A serial offender who pleaded guilty to burning down the awning of an insurance office building in Hamilton was handed a 18-month sentence by a Supreme Court judge yesterday.

Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe ordered that six months of the term that he imposed in sentencing Eric Richardson, 34, be suspended.

The defendant was put on three years’ probation, which will follow his release, and ordered to comply with several mandatory conditions.

Mr Justice Wolffe ordered Richardson, who faces mental health challenges, to submit himself to random drug testing, to avoid alcohol or drugs and to undergo psychological treatment as determined by the Department of Court Services.

The judge said he was familiar with the defendant’s mental health challenges as he urged him to stay away from drugs.

In January, Richardson, of no fixed address, admitted damaging the overhang outside CG Insurance when he appeared in Magistrates’ Court.

The awning on Reid Street was partially destroyed by the time the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service responded on April 30 last year.

In January, defence lawyer Susan Mulligan recognised that he had received psychological therapy, but added that “it’s not working”.

Yesterday, she said she hoped Richardson will receive the mental health support that he needs, adding that he is enrolled in a drug treatment programme at the moment.

She urged him to focus on recovery as the defendant apologised to the court.

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