A man with more than 30 convictions was sent to the Supreme Court for sentencing after admitting two thefts from churches - one of them on Good Friday - the Christian church's most solemn day.

Garth John Hayward, 35, of Idle Acres, Smith's, appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday where he said his addictions to alcohol and cocaine were to blame for his actions.

Prosecutor Wayne Caines said Hayward was charged with attempting to steal a wallet from the Evangelical Church on Middle Road in Paget last Friday, and for breaking and entering into St. Mark's Church in Smith's on March 25 and stealing seven bottles of wine from the vestry, valued at $70.

And also on Good Friday, he was accused of breaking and entering into a house in Paget and stealing a bag, four bottles of liquor, jewellery, a watch, a t-shirt and dish towel, all valued at $900.

Hayward was also accused of stealing a wallet containing $21 cash, drivers' licence, credit and bank cards on March 19 this year, and on April 10, of stealing a black nylon bag, cell phone, credit cards and $200 cash, all totalling $650.

Hayward told the court he had a "severe" drug and alcohol problem.

He said last year he was working and had money in the bank, but said his addictions, and the environment he lived in, had got the better of him.

"Being around that type of environment all my life and trying to abstain is hard," said Hayward.

"I'm not excusing myself for what I have done. I apologise. What ever happens, I know I have to get back on my feet.

"It's a never ending struggle. I just have to pick myself back up and try to start on. I'm willing to do what ever it takes to get back on my feet - rehab or drug court. I don't mind."

But Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves said he had looked at Hayward's long record and said there was nothing he could prescribe for him.

And he said matters were made worse by the fact that he stole from two churches - one of them on Good Friday.

"I have considered your record, son, and this record is a bad one," said Mr. Greaves.

And he said he believed the matter should be dealt with by Supreme Court. He did not think drug court or the Alternatives to Incarceration programme would be the answer in this case. Hayward was remanded into custody until sentencing.