years -- finally revealed yesterday: "I'm a drug addict.'' The 31-year-old spoke about his drug problems just before he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years' prison for stealing and unlawful assault.

And he begged Chief Justice Austin Ward: "You are a humanitarian and it's your job to protect the public from these crimes ever happening again.

"But sending me to prison just puts it off for a little while.'' Instead, Lightbourne pleaded to be referred for intensive counselling for his drug problems.

He said: "I'm suffering from a deadly disease called drug addiction. I have been in denial for many years and now again I'm back before the courts.

"But I have made the first true step. I have put all my pride aside to acknowledge my condition. Your honour, I'm a drug addict.'' Lightbourne's brother Randolph is an infamous bank robber and is serving a 32-year stretch in jail for a string of serious crimes.

Roger Lightbourne's crimes have been on a much smaller scale.

But his lawyer Elizabeth Christopher told the Supreme Court yesterday: "His first recorded offence was at age 17.'' She added: "It's something that Mr. Lightbourne is ashamed of but his offences are by and large drug-related and have been from a very early stage.'' Father-of-three Lightbourne, of St. John's Road, Pembroke, admitted stealing $1,500 from Rockford Cycles on December 23.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting and stealing $310 from Gerrylynn Outerbridge, a cashier at the Speciality Inn in Smith's Parish, on December 14.

Lightbourne pushed Ms Outerbridge to the ground as he grabbed a cash box from her before riding away.

Lightbourne, revealing his drug addiction, added: "I'm most sincerely sorry for these crimes.

"Moreover, I'm sorry to myself, my family and all society for my state. I'm sick and only getting worse.'' But Mr. Justice Ward said the charges warranted a prison term.

He sentenced him to two concurrent two-and-a-half year sentences and referred him for drug treatment programmes.