A Southampton man has been sentenced to 60 days in prison after he admitted stealing from his father.

Ernest Damon Smith, 37, pleaded guilty to one charge of theft when he appeared in Magistrates’ Court this morning. The court heard that Smith stole $502 from his father, Ernest David Smith, on December 27.

Prosecutor Susan Mulligan said that Smith had been ironing his father’s clothes when he took the money from a shirt pocket.

When Mr Smith discovered that the money was missing he took his son to Somerset Police Station, where he admitted stealing the money to support his drug habit.

Smith was subsequently taken to Hamilton Police Station and arrested.

Smith said: “I turned myself in. I knew it was wrong. I was high at the time and I just wanted that to continue.”

He had previous convictions for similar offences and the court heard that he had completed a drug treatment programme six months ago, but had relapsed since.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo said: “You’ve been through the system. Your father is obviously fed up with you.”

• Two men were remanded into custody for allegedly trespassing and theft when they also appeared in Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Kierron Spencer, 24, of Hamilton Parish, and Ajani Albuoy-Lovell, 27, of Warwick, pleaded not guilty to the offences which allegedly took place at homes in St David’s and Smith’s on December 23.

Prosecutor Susan Mulligan told the court that the pair stole jewellery and other goods worth almost $17,000.

They also denied being in possession of equipment for use in burglary — a pair of gloves, socks, hammer and a screwdriver — in Hamilton Parish on the same day.

Both were remanded into custody and will reappear tomorrow morning.