MONTEGO BAY, St James — An admitted former cocaine abuser with a 12-point rap sheet on Monday escaped another prison sentence after he was given a suspended sentence for assault at common law.

Acting Senior Resident Magistrate Vivienne Harris gave 48-year-old Delroy Martin 12 months at hard labour, suspended for 12 months, and ordered a supervision order to be carried out by the police for the same period.

In mitigation, Martin, who pleaded guilty, told the court he was upset and frustrated on January 11 when he pulled a knife at a motorist along Fish Lane.

The motorist turned out to be a police officer.

Martin said he was upset as his home had been broken into and all his goods for resale had been stolen.

The court was told that the complainant was driving along Fish Lane at about 8:30 pm when Martin tried to sell him a car air freshener.

According to the complainant, he told Martin he did not want it.

Martin however returned, the court heard, pushed a knife through the car window, demanded payment and tried to open the car door.

He was chased, held, arrested and charged.

In court on Monday, it was revealed that Martin had had 12 previous convictions, none of which were for violent crimes.