For the first time in Drug Court history a felon has been convicted of a crime while receiving treatment from the facility.

In Magistrates' Court yesterday Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves said it pained him to send Winslow (Scaly) Williams to the Supreme Court for sentencing.

Williams, 37, of White Hill, Somerset, pleaded guilty to breaking into a house with the intent to steal. He pleaded not guilty to unlawfully assault, but this charge was kept on the file.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court that Williams had broken into a Pembroke home at 6 a.m. on May 18. The victim had left the sliding glass door slightly ajar to allow in fresh air. He was awakened and when he got up he saw a man just inside the door.

Williams grabbed jewellery and other valuables from a nearby table and ran out of the door.

The victim's son approached Williams, who was then on a bike trying to escape, and he attacked the man before riding off.

The victim's son got a description of the cycle and the licence plate number.

When Williams was arrested he admitted to breaking into the home and said it was because he needed drugs.

Ms Clarke recommended that, because of Williams' history he should be committed to the Supreme Court for sentencing.

Williams said he apologised to the everyone involved, but said: "I had a relapse."

Mr. Greaves asked the prosecutor what time had the incident happened and she said that it had occurred at 6 a.m., so it was not burglary, but Williams was in breach of his Drug Court curfew, which was from 8.30 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Williams was also charged with speeding at 68 kph on April 10 at 10.03 p.m., which was also a breach of his curfew.

Mr. Greaves said: "Mr. Williams, I do not understand you. You are the first person in the history of Drug Court to have breached in this manner.

"I like to boast that we are helping people in Drug Court - no matter what the sceptics might feel.

"This is a colossal record and it pains me that you would throw away a chance like this.

"You had this kind of behaviour before you were on drugs."

Mr. Greaves asked Ms Clarke what were the items that he had left at the scene of the crime and she said it was a drug pipe and an asthma pump.

"If a person commits an offence while during Drug Court - even if I wanted to assist you, I couldn't," said Mr. Greaves.

"I'm going to agree with prosecutor Clarke and commit you to the Supreme Court for sentencing."

Before telling Williams that he was "sorry to see him go", Mr. Greaves read off an array of other crimes committed by Williams and told him that he would be sentenced for them in the Supreme Court as well.