"effectively creates a halfway house'' according to his lawyer.

Toriano Dunkley, 28, of Sugar Apple Lane, Pembroke, was given time to think and time to heal in a sentence that requires him to pass a rehabilition programme at Harbour Lights or face an additional two years in prison.

On Friday Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller ordered Dunkley to serve two years of his four year custodial sentence, then suspended the remaining portion of the sentence for 24 months.

Dunkley is expected to attend the live-in rehabilitation facility Harbour Lights for three to six months of that time.

If Dunkley commits an offence or fails the programme, he will serve the remainder of his four-year sentence.

The sentence was levied after an hour long exchange between Crown Counsel Juan Wolffe, defence attorney Mark Pettingill and Mrs. Justice Wade-Miller.

Mr. Pettingill argued that any long period of incarceration would not help Dunkley recover and drive him to become a repeat offender.

He said the sentence effectively created a halfway house for offenders like Dunkley.

Mr. Wolffe responded: "Dunkley has been in other court rooms in the past and has squandered his opportunity.'' Dunkley left a residential treatment programme in New York City after one day, said Mr. Wolffe.

"Between public interest and Mr. Dunkley, there must be a sufficient deterrent and punishment,'' said Mr. Wolffe.

Dunkley pleaded guilty to several counts of theft, and possession of cocaine and heroin, in Magistrates' Court in early April.