habit.

Neville Craig Richardson, 23, of Euclid Avenue, Pembroke, was caught three times with a pipe used for smoking cocaine, over a period of three months.

Pleading guilty to the three charges of possessing a pipe intended for use with drugs, Richardson also admitted to two charges of trespass.

The first offence happened in Devonshire on October 8 last year. Five days later he was caught again, in the Bermuda Nursery Association building on Union Street, Hamilton. He was caught again on December 11 in the same building.

Prosecutor Sgt. Rex Osborne said that in each case a " crack pipe'' was found with traces of cocaine.

He pointed out that the derelict building was boarded up and had signs warning trespassers that they would be prosecuted if caught.

Previous drug offences had seen Richardson in court twice in 1990 and once in 1985. He is still on probation following the last offence when he said he would attend Drug Addiction Services.

Magistrate the Wor. John Judge remembered the defendant and said: "I tried to get you rehabilitated from these drugs over a year ago. It does not seem to have worked. There is only course I can take.'' Defending Richardson, Ms Sonia Grant suggested alternatives to a custodial sentence. Ms Grant said: "He is a self confessed drug addict. He is crying out for help. His attempt at rehabilitation was short lived, perhaps he should be allowed a longer period.'' She asked for a social inquiry report to be prepared but Mr. Judge said he had already seen one.

He said: "I am not sure that is going to do a lot of good now. Here we have three offences in a matter of three months.'' Mr. Judge sentenced Richardson to six months prison on each of the five offences, running concurrently.