A repeat offender who said he wants to break his drug habit has been given the chance to complete a residential rehabilitation programme rather than immediately face a year in prison.

St Elias Charles, a 55-year-old cleaner of King William Street, The City, had previously pleaded guilty in the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court to stealing a $329.99 bottle of perfume from Barbados Duty Free on May 2, stealing a $95 ham from BJ’s Value Mart trading as Popular Discount on May 21, and a $99.99 speaker valued from Unicomer Trading on May 30.

Charles told the court that he had never had the opportunity to receive drug rehabilitation and requested to do so. He was remanded and a psychiatric report was ordered.