appeal against the sentence rejected by the Court of Appeal.

Stephen Wilfred Pitt, of Alexandra Road, was sentenced in February after being found guilty on two counts of receiving stolen goods, including a hand saw, 73 cans of soda and more than a dozen bottles of wine.

A jury rejected his defence that he was "just looking after them'', although they found him not guilty of breaking into the building where the goods were originally stolen.

Pitt's lawyer, Marc Telemaque, told the Court of Appeal that he was applying for leave of appeal against the sentence because it was "manifestly harsh''.

Mr. Telemaque confirmed his client had two previous convictions for handling but that they occurred in 1973 and 1985.

And he said Pitt had only been given an 18-month jail term in 1995 for stealing more than $4,000 worth of portable radios.

"A sentence of two years would be more appropriate and four years is not reflective of the circumstances of this case he said.

But Court of Appeal President Sir James Astwood dismissed the application.

Referring to Pitt's 18 month sentence in 1995 he said: "The judge was giving him a chance and he didn't take it.'' He also added that Pitt could have received a seven year jail sentence for the offences.