TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Kevin Christopher Balkaran was Monday sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by City Magistrate Annett Singh for burglary.Balkaran of Houston Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara is a frequent visitor to the courts and who was earlier this month released from prison after severing a three-month sentence.

He was charged for breaking into the dwelling house of Elizabeth Johnson during the night of Thursday, August 11 at Georgetown with intent to steal.

The 20-year-old admitted to the crime, smiling as he told her: “My worship, Elizabeth used to be talking meh name so I just do it fuh spite.”

According to the prosecution’s facts which were read by Corporal Seon Blackman, the defendant and Johnson are neighbors in Houston Housing Scheme.

On Wednesday, August 10 Johnson secured her house and retired to bed. However in the wee hours of August 11 the woman was awoken by Balkaran touching her legs. She raised an alarm.

Balkaran reportedly made good his escape but was later arrested by police during a search in the village.

“Every time you appear before me you’re just standing there smiling and graduating to more serious offences,” Magistrate Singh said in disgust.

The prosecutor urged the magistrate to impose the maximum sentence on Balkaran since he had several other charges before the court and also the fact that he showed no remorse.

Magistrate Singh sentenced Balkaran to 18 months’ imprisonment and ordered that help be sought for him from a specialist in Psychiatry, who would visit prisoners at the Camp Street prison.

In May, the 20-year-old was sentenced to 3 months’ imprisonment by Magistrate Singh for threatening to kill his mother Usha Balkaran.

Last year Balkaran was convicted on two separate charges for threatening his mother. He served four months on each occasion.