A Pembroke man admitted to breaking into a business and stealing $752.50.

Jeffrey Carson, 41, of Fort Hill Road, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft when he appeared at Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard from Crown counsel Larissa Burgess that Carson had unlawfully entered CNC Automated Carpentry and Animal and Garden House in Pembroke and forced open a safe containing money.

Owners Joseph Baron and Susan Baron contacted Police on Monday after Mrs. Baron saw Carson inside the building after hours with a power drill in his hand.

When Mrs. Baron asked Carson what he was doing, he claimed her husband instructed him to be there.

Mrs. Baron then talked to her husband who denied this. Mr. Baron then called the Police.

Carson then left the scene and sped off in a car. He was chased by Police who later caught him. When questioned at the Hamilton Police Station he admitted to the crime.

Lawyer, Simon Payne, representing Carson, asked the court to take into consideration that Carson is gainfully employed as a self-employed painter, has no prior convictions, gave an early guilty plea, the money was recovered and he was willing to pay for any damages caused.

Mr. Payne also informed the court that Carson recently got involved with bad company and became addicted to crack cocaine and was willing to enter any drug programme necessary. He asked for any prison sentence to be suspended.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said: "Carson broke into the people's place, drilled holes in their safe and you want me to do what?"

The Magistrate ordered pre-sentencing reports.