A MAN who stole £4,300 worth of tools from a St Helier property and was later found with cannabis and prescription drugs has been warned that a prison sentence is “extremely likely”.
Joao Cristiano De Sousa Silva (39) pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court to breaking into unoccupied premises in New Street over two nights between 28 and 31 December last year.
He also admitted possessing five grams of cannabis resin, 42 diazepam tablets – a Class C sedative – and half a gram of tramadol, a Class C synthetic opioid painkiller.
Advocate Roy Slater, defending, said De Sousa Silva believed the premises were vacant and accepted “full responsibility” for his actions.
He added that the property had been unoccupied for a year, nobody had been placed at risk and no damage had been caused.
The court heard that De Sousa Silva had a previous conviction for breaking and entering from 2010.
Relief Magistrate Rebecca Morley-Kirk told him: “You have pleaded guilty to an offence and it is extremely likely you will receive a custodial sentence.”
De Sousa Silva was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 26 October following the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
