Stealing two Bermuda Cedar trees and a car earned two Hamilton Parish men three month prison terms.

Magistrate Will Francis imprisoned Sidney O'Neil Gibbons, 38, and Andre Anthony Berkeley, 44, both of Harlem Heights Road, after they admitted taking car keys from neighbour Neville Spenser's house on March 16 and returning on March 20 and removing the car.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines told the court Berkeley drove the car to Michael Richold's house where they stole two cedar logs, and got $100 for them at Bermuda Stripping and Refinishing in Devonshire. They returned the car to Mr. Spenser's home.

On March 21, they did exactly the same thing but were spotted by Mr. Richold leaving his yard with eight cedar logs hanging out of the car.

Mr. Richold called the Police and followed them to Bermuda Stripping and Refinishing where they were seen trying to sell the cedar logs to one of the employees.

Berkeley said: "I didn't think we were stealing. It's the first time that I have ever been involved in a case like this.

"I knew that Gibbons cleaned the car and when he asked me to drive it, I also knew that he didn't have a licence."

Magistrate William Francis said: "Berkeley has been consistent in that he didn't know anything."

"Do you want to change your plea to not guilty?" Mr. Francis asked Berkley.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines said: "It is the Crown's position that both are addicted to drugs."

Berkley said: "I admit, I was addicted to drugs, but I have been going to Turning Point."

Mr. Caines said: "Everyone is at Turning Point after they get caught."

Gibbons said: "I'd just like to apologise to the court for wasting its time."

Berkley said: "I'd like to apologise to the court and I would really like to apologise to the man (Mr. Richold)."

Mr. Francis said: "Somebody takes you to someone else's land that you don't know. I'm not going to let you take back your guilty plea. I am also satisfied that you knew and wanted a piece of the action."

Berkley said: "I work, sir. I didn't know. I wasn't doing anything wrong. I work six days a week."

Mr. Francis said: "I am giving a bit of credit for your guilty pleas but you are both sentenced to three months in prison on each count to run concurrently."