A heroin addict has been jailed for four years for committing robbery, theft, forgery, uttering false documents, and stealing to support his drug habit.

In Supreme Court yesterday, Chief Justice Richard Ground told Denzil Simmons, 30, that he hoped he would kick his drug habit once and for all, and that he would endeavour, while in prison to get treatment and his GED diploma.

The two years of probation following his release were to be spent, said Mr. Justice Ground, staying away from individuals in the community that used drugs or places which might lead him astray.

After Simmons apologised for the harm he had inflicted on innocent individuals through his crimes, Mr. Justice Ground said that if he messed up this opportunity he would once again come before the courts who would not be so lenient a second time around.

Simmons, who was represented by lawyer Elizabeth Christopher, pleaded guilty to six counts of stealing over a three day period, one count of robbery and one count of forgery. Ms Christopher had suggested a sentence of two years in prison followed by two years probation.

The court heard the six counts of stealing to which Simmons pleaded guilty involved his co-accused Densworth Darrell, who will be sentenced once the court receives the required reports. Darrell has also pleaded guilty to committing the crimes.

In an emotional appeal to the courts to consider the background behind Darrell's situation, lawyer Larry Scott, said his client was a resident of the Light House in Smiths ? the only residential home on the Island for people with HIV/AIDS ? and would not be able to given a fair sentence based on his crimes alone without further investigation.

"My client has a drug appetite, he admits to being involved in these crimes to satisfy his habit, but it also raises the issue of how we can effectively sentence an individual on these dual complaints and on a condition which is a count down in his life. We have to think 'do these people give up and make peculiar decisions'. maybe this is something in time we can understand what that person is facing," said Mr. Scott.

Mr. Scott added that his client, who is married, was staying at the Light House with his wife, but once he placed a call to the staff at the home, he was told said his wife would not be able to live at the residence any longer.

"While I think a period of incarceration may be inevitable, I think it may bring this man to his finality," said Mr. Scott, during his emotional appeal.

Mr. Justice Ground ordered that, before sentencing was carried out, social inquiry and BARC reports must be conducted. Darrell's case will be mentioned by the courts during the next arraignment session.

The court heard that on March 11, 2005 Simmons went into Dr. Thouet's medical practice in Pembroke and approached receptionist Susan Tucker, who was sitting at her desk at work. The defendant snatched her black and brown leather purse containing a wallet, 300 Euros, 100 British pounds, $5 Bermuda dollars, three Bank of Bermuda debit cards, a gold ring, a Bank of Bermuda cheque book and personal items valued at $1,388.

During the theft, the court heard Mrs. Tucker tried to stop the defendant by grabbing his arm, while Simmons slapped her on the right side of her face in his efforts to get away.

Just three days later, on March 14, Simmons visited the Bermuda Financial Network where he attempted to cash a cheque in the sum of $1,442 ? the cheque was made payable to the defendant but was not signed by the maker. When the teller refused he attempted once again to cash the cheque with a fraudulent signature. Simmons later admitted to robbing Mrs. Tucker and to forging the cheque.

In the other crimes which involved his co-accused Darrell who acted as a look-out and get away driver, the court heard that on March 15, Karl Johnson was alone in Carousel Liquors store on Front Street when Darrell walked in and purchased a beer. He left and Simmons came into the store. He then handed over some coins to pay for the drinks, but grabbed five $20 bills from the register when the complainant attempted to give him the change.

On March 18, in another crime at the Jack & Jill shop, Simmons entered the store with a screwdriver in his hand and tried to push Helena Veenhuizen away from the cash register where she was standing. A scuffle ensued but Simmons got away with $75, despite the fact the clerk tried to stop him by punching him.

In another shop theft, Simmons went to the International Sports Shop and accosted Satrina Jennings, an employee who was alone in the shop. Darrell stood outside as a look-out while Simmons pulled out a screwdriver and attacked the cash register, pulling out $700 before escaping.

On March 14, Simmons went into the front office of Watlington Waterworks, pulled out money from the cash register and made his escape on the back of a waiting motorcycle being driven by Darrell.

Simmons also stole money from Ray Juan's Intimate Lingerie store valued at $160 on March 16. The following day he also robbed another Hamilton shop ? Cecile's on Front Street, which he entered wearing a crash helmet and immediately went to the cash register and pulled $300 out of the till before the sales assistant could stop him.

Later the following week Simmons was interviewed by Police and confessed to the crimes, stating he stole the money to buy heroin.