sentenced to two years in prison yesterday by Senior Magistrate Will Francis.

Lionel Jones, who lived with his mother and stepfather on Greenfield Lane, Sandys, just yards away from Broome Street where he was caught dealing crack, cited early exposure to drugs and peer pressure as the major causes of his involvement in the trade although he took: "100 percent responsibility,'' for his actions.

Reading from a prepared statement the visibly shaken young man, who has no previous criminal record, admitted his guilt. "I have been exposed to the drug trade for years,'' he said.

"My decision to sell drugs was very wrong, a desire to be accepted and peer pressure were elements in my behaviour which I now realise was folly.'' Jones was charged as a result of selling $50 worth of crack cocaine to a couple of men on scooters who were under cover agents from the United States' Drug Enforcement Agency, who worked with local Police in Operation Cleansweep.

A hushed court room watched video tapes of the deal, apparently filmed by cameras hidden in the agents' motor cycle helmets.

The video clearly showed Jones and others approach two men on bikes and after a brief conversation money and crack exchanged hands.

According to Crown Counsel Wilhelm Bourne the deal took place on Broome Street in Somerset on May 2. Jones was subsequently arrested on June 6.

In arguing for a stiff sentence to be imposed, Mr. Bourne described street dealing as: "An Island-wide problem which has seriously affected the quality of life for many Bermudians.'' The prosecutor went on to describe crack as, "a drug of rapid addiction and degradation,'' and went on to cite similar crack dealing cases in Great Britain, involving guilty pleas by first-time offenders caught selling to under cover policemen, which resulted in sentences of four and five years in prison.

"Deterring people from trading in this drug should be a priority,'' he said, "the public needs protection from crack dealers, especially in a small community like Bermuda.'' Jones, who did not have a lawyer, read a prepared statement to the court. In addition to admitting his guilt and taking responsibility for his actions, he said the time he has spent in Westgate had, "opened his eyes to the result of my actions.

"I am very sorry for what I have done. I know the law must be satisfied, but I ask the court to take what I have said into account and be lenient. I am full of remorse and begging you for mercy,'' he said.

Before pronouncing sentence, Mr. Francis said he had listened to what Jones had said.

"However, I agree with the Crown Counsel. I must give a sentence that leaves no one in doubt as to the seriousness of the crime and the open and flagrant nature of the selling of this dangerous drug.'' Mr. Francis said he was also taking into account Jones' age, his open admission of guilt, his expressions of remorse and clean record, before sentencing him to two years in prison, taking into consideration time served since his arrest early last month.