KINGSTON, Jamaica  — Andre Pratt, the man who slashed a police officer's throat at Jamaica House in 2009 escaped sentencing in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court today.

Pratt's sentencing was suspended after his attorney Valerie Neita Robertson told the court that her client had a drug problem and needed counselling.

Pratt was then transferred to the Drug Court Division for counselling.

He was however told that if he did not co-operate he would be brought back for sentencing on the throat-cutting incident.

The matter will be mentioned in the Drug Court on September 12.

On December 3, 2009, Pratt went to the entrance of Jamaica House on Hope Road in Kingston and demanded to see then Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

However, he was prevented from entering the premises by a police officer manning the gate.

Pratt, a former cashbook officer at the Inland Revenue Department, pulled a knife, and during a struggle with the officer, used the weapon to cut the policeman's throat.

The policeman was taken to Andrew's Memorial Hospital for treatment.