to prison, pending the completion of a social inquiry report.

John Hayward, 31, of no fixed abode, was originally charged with the unlawful entry, burglary with intent, housebreaking and wilful damage of three East End residences, including his father's.

But on Wednesday, after learning that one of the complainants, Andrew Exell, was studying abroad, Acting Magistrate Wilhelm Bourne dismissed the charges pertaining to that case.

However, the remaining two complainants, Hayward's father and his brother-in-law, David Chew, were in court to present their evidence.

Both men told the court that a registered letter advising Hayward to "stay away'' from their properties had been officially hand-delivered to him on July 17.

But they claimed Hayward broke into both of the homes two days later.

The court heard that Police were called to Mr. Chew's house around 3.15 p.m.

on July 19.

And Mr. Chew, of 45 St. David's Road, recalled: "I came home late in the afternoon and I saw John sitting on the front step. I noticed he was playing music (from the stereo inside) and the door was open. I had left the house locked.'' Mr. Chew then called his wife who subsequently notified the Police. Three Police officers arrived at the residence some 20 minutes later.

It was discovered that Hayward had gained entry by knocking out a glass pane in the front door.

"That's obviously how he got in,'' suggested Mr. Chew.

However, Hayward -- who was not represented -- strenuously disagreed with the evidence given by his brother-in-law.

"I thought my sister was home,'' Hayward said. "I knocked on the door, but I knocked too hard and the glass broke. I wanted to fix it.'' But later he changed his story and explained: "I went to the house and saw it had been broken into. I put on some music and tried to fix it (the glass pane). Now they're accusing me of pure nonsense.'' P.c. Hassan Alami-Merrouni, who arrested Hayward and took him to the St.

George's Police Station where he was searched and detained, testified that Hayward -- in a written statement -- admitted to breaking into his father's home earlier that same day.

Two glass panes at the Mayor's Tranquillity Lane residence had also been smashed.

The following day, Hayward was formally charged with the offences, but made no reply.

Mr. Bourne found Hayward guilty of the offences. He ordered a social inquiry report be carried out on Hayward and that he return to court on October 22 when the report is expected to be completed and Hayward sentenced.

John Hayward