A man who stole $65,000 over a period of two months to support his drug habit, will be given a chance to clean up his act, if he is allowed to enter the Drug Court.

Pending an assessment by Probation Services and the National Drug Commission, Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves remanded Earlston Eugene Phipps in custody for six weeks until a report can be completed.

Phipps, 47, of Town Hill, Smith's Parish, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of stealing and two counts of attempted stealing from his father between August 31, and October 11, of this year.

Crown counsel Shade Subair told the court that because Phipps has the same name as his father, he was able to withdraw, $8,000 on September 8, $8,000 on September 17, $10,000 on September 20, $6,500 on September 24 and $10,000 on October 1, from his father's Bank of Butterfield account.

He also stole a total of $23,000 on various dates from August 31, to October 11.

Ms Subair said that when Phipps was arrested, he admitted using the money to fund his drug habit.

And she added that none of the money, totalling $65,000, had been recovered.

But speaking in defence of Phipps, lawyer Patrick Doherty said: "He is suffering from a cocaine addiction. This amount of money he owed for prior drug use. He is a man who has no prior history. He got caught - he readily admitted his guilt and he has had a chance to reflect and he wants to get back to living a clean life."

But Mr. Greaves said the victim of the crime had a right to heard and he said he will make a determination of Phipps' fate after hearing from his father.

"That's a lot of bread to come out of a bank and go up somebody's nose," he said. "I wish to hear what the father has to say. We have to remember that they are victims.

He added: "We can't guarantee that you will get into the Drug Court. I have to make the final decision. These are serious, serious matters and that is a lot of bread."

Mr. Greaves remanded Phipps in custody until December 10, pending the results of a joint drug assessment and probation report.