Saying he was now relying on "a higher power,'' a self confessed drug addict pleaded with Chief Justice Austin Ward for a chance to kick his habit and "be a father'' to his eight-year-old daughter at a sentencing hearing in Supreme Court yesterday.

MacNeil Mark Wilson, a 32-year-old Pembroke resident, told the Chief Justice that an uncle introduced him to heroin at the age of 17.

The court heard that he had committed several offences over a four month period last year.

Wilson had pleaded guilty to breaking and entering two doctors' offices on Woodbourne Avenue and M&M International's warehouse on Church Street in late March, stealing a total of almost $300 and a can of soda.

In April he broke into several boats at the Dinghy Club.

He had also pleaded guilty to using a motorcycle known to have been stolen and breaking into the offices of AON Bermuda Ltd and stealing over $1200 in cash.

The offences were committed while Wilson was on bail.

Prosecutor Dorien Taylor asked for a total sentence of at least nine years imprisonment.

Wilson's lawyer Renee Foggo argued for mitigation.

"Mr. Wilson has been in and out of prison during the past 10 years,'' she said. "I would submit that his criminal activity has been totally influenced by his drug abuse.'' She argued that sentencing should include putting Wilson into a rehabilitation programme and said that Wilson had never been part of an in-house programme while incarcerated.

She asked the Chief Justice to take into consideration nine months her client had spent on remand, and pointed out that he was on medication for psychiatric problems.

Ms Foggo pointed to plans to establish a drugs court and appealed to Mr.

Justice Ward to recommend an assessment when Wilson comes up for probation to determine what programme will be best for her client.

"I have been on drugs since I was 17,'' said Wilson. "For the last 10 years it took a toll on my life... I have sought help and always failed and thought of myself as a failure. But now after nine months (in custody) I have looked up to a higher power.'' Mr. Justice Ward imposed jail sentences totalling five years -- with the final year to be spent in a residential centre outside prison if an assessment determines him to be suitable.

"I recommend you be enrolled in a treatment programme in prison for the first part of your sentence. In the last year you should be enrolled in a residential centre outside the prison,'' Mr. Justice Ward said.