EAST Kingston resident Warren Williams narrowly escaped imprisonment last Thursday after pleading guilty in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court to slashing the throat of a man who allegedly shot at him.

Williams pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm for slashing the throat of Shawn McIntosh in Warieka Hill, in the Mountain View area, on July 30.

Following Williams's guilty plea, attorney Melrose Reid begged the court to impose a non-custodial sentence on her client whom she said had misunderstood the law of self-defence.

"You can't take the law into your own hand," Magistrate Lorna Shelly-Williams scolded. "If you have a problem, take the matter to the police."

Williams was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. However, Magistrate Shelly-Williams suspended the sentence for two years.

"You are not free. Let me make it clear to you," the magistrate said.

She explained to Williams that he would have to serve the 12 months if he is convicted within the two years for a crime for which he could be imprisoned.

The court was told that the man whose throat Williams slashed is currently on a gun-related charge.