A 59-year-old man who was accused of stealing two cheques valued at a total of $980 had a Crown counsel argue for him to be sent to Drug Court yesterday.

Magistrates' Court heard Cleveland (Outasight) Simmons plead guilty with an explanation to stealing the cheques to feed his drug habit.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines told the court that on November 16, 2001, Simmons stole a cheque worth $300 and took it to Modern Mart where he cashed it. On November 19, 2001, he took a cheque worth $680 to the Shopping Centre, bought groceries and received $551 cash back. Simmons was arrested on February 26.

Simmons told the court yesterday: "I apologise for my actions. I am embarrassed. I don't feel good about myself."

Mr. Caines said: "As befalls my duties, Simmons, who is unrepresented, has been incarcerated more than one time for similar offences. He suffers from chemical addiction."

Simmons told the court: "I just came back from a drug treatment facility in Canada."

"When? " asked Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves.

"Last October," said Simmons.

Simmons added: "I came back with nowhere to stay and I was struggling."

Mr. Caines said: "This man didn't have Harbour Light or BARC (Bermuda Assessment and Referral Centre) when he came back. He could benefit from Drug Court, daily urine tests and a transitional facility."

"Mr. Caines, we do not even have this sort of intensive programme," said Mr. Greaves, "He is a 59-year-old granddaddy."

"He had nine months in a residential treatment facility in Her Majesty's Canada. I want to know did you receive a lot of counselling there? What is the name of the place you went to?

Simmons replied: "I'm not even going to worry about it."

Mr. Greaves asked: "When are we going to stop getting tricked? Transitional living centres, 1965 until now, you were paying fines in pounds. You must be treated in a facility that affords tax payers to be able to enjoy their freedom and not be prepared to keep breaking the laws." Mr. Greaves added: "Who paid for you to go to the treatment facility?"

Simmons said: "XL and other companies who previously funded my centre." (Simmons previously ran a halfway house for prisoners)."

"Society needs to be protected from you," said Mr. Greaves before remanding him in custody until September 9 for a social inquiry report and a drug assessment from BARC.