The former executive director of Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB) has been sent to jail after breaching his probation only a few months after he was given a suspended sentence in Supreme Court for stealing more than $40,000 from the charity.

Lennox Boodram used a credit card to help himself to the cash over a four-year period, using it to fuel his drug habit.

He was originally sentenced by Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons last December to a one-year suspended sentence for two years with an 18-month probation order. She explained she took into account the fact that he is an unemployed house husband, caring for his children aged two and eight.

Boodram, a 47-year-old Trinidadian national who is married to a Bermudian, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to stealing the money.

Last Friday, Boodram was brought back before Mrs. Justice Simmons after breaching his probation order and had his original sentence revoked for a two-year prison term.

The court heard during his court-ordered stay at Camp Spirit, Boodram complained of being sick and was escorted to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital by staff. He was examined and released but was not satisfied and told Camp Spirit staff he wanted to see his own doctor.

Boodram was warned if he did not return to Camp Spirit, he would breach his probation order. He did not return to the rehab programme and was in breach of his probation. He said he would rather go to prison than return.

Mrs. Justice Simmons withdrew his original sentence saying probation was not a suitable option for him and gave him two years imprisonment so that he could participate in the rehab programme at Westgate Correctional Facility.

The defendant's probation said he had to abstain from drugs and alcohol, submit to drug testing, stay out of trouble, enter a rehabilitation programme and abide by a 9.30 p.m. to 6.30 a.m. curfew for the first six months.

Then KBB director, Susan Harvey, said the crime had a devastating impact on its operations to clean up litter and educate the public.

"It is impossible to assess the damage done to this useful and valuable organisation by this man's breach of the trust inherent in his position.

"People have long memories and it will be many years before the taint of his dishonesty and irresponsibility will be forgotten."

Boodram abused the credit card by making more than 100 ATM withdrawals from 2001 though to 2005 amounting to $42,050. He was the only full-time, salaried staff member of KBB.