Court of Appeal judges have ordered that a man who was sentenced to more than 80 years in prison for stealing from churches, pre-schools, stores and homes should be released after serving five years.

Father of two Keith Nixon, then aged 31, was handed the heavy penalty for the crimes in 2005 by Magistrate Linda Virgill.

At that time, Magistrate Virgill suggested the lengthy period of time in jail would allow him time to change his life and seek treatment for a drug problem he said fuelled his spree of crimes and for which he said he had previously sought, but had not received help during an earlier stay in jail.

Ultimately Nixon saw things differently and went on to appeal the sentence. On May 19, the thief's wish was granted by Court of Appeal President Dame Joan Sawyer, Justice George Newman and Justice Stanley John.

Nixon had previously pleaded guilty to robbing the Bahamas Christian Fellowship Church, Golden Gates Church of Christ, Golden Gates Assembly, Southwest Cathedral Church of God, Trinity Baptist Church, New Providence Seventh-Day Adventist Church, New Covenant Baptist Church, Zion South Beach and Church of God of Prophecy on Blue Hill Road.

He was also charged with breaking and entering the Adventure Learning Centre on two separate occasions, Guiding Hands Nursery School and Revere Academy School.

During the break-ins, Nixon stole various items, including cash, electronics, food items and church equipment, according to court documents.

Court records indicated that cash stolen from the establishments ranged from $50 to $3,000 and the crimes took place in Garden Hills, South Beach, Soldier Road and Carmichael Road.

In her judgment on the convict's appeal against the sentence, Court President Dame Joan Sawyer said she would substitute the sentence of 81 years and six months given to Mr Nixon with one of "five years concurrent on each count."

"As the appellant has in fact served nearly five calendar years he is to be released immediately," she stated.

Click here to read more in The Tribune