A Hamilton Parish man who admitted possessing a nine-inch knife in a public place received a suspended prison sentence when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Stacey Reno Simpson, 23, of Cottage Hill Road, was arrested on Boxing Day last year during a high-visibility Police patrol in the aftermath of three shootings over the Christmas period.

Officers set up a huge presence at Kindley Field Road to search people heading toward Wellington Oval, St. George's, for Devonshire Cougars' match against North Village Rams and searched numerous people.

Simpson originally pleaded not guilty to the charge but changed his plea yesterday in court.

The court heard from Senior Crown counsel Paula Tyndale, that the 23-year-old was a passenger on a bike that was pulled over for a search on December 26.

Simpson got off the bike and appeared nervous and fidgety. It also appeared he was hiding something underneath his shirt.

Officers searched him and asked him to raise his arms. When he did, a large brown nine-inch knife fell to the ground.

He told the officers he had it for his protection. Simpson was arrested and taken to the Southside Police Station.

After pleading guilty, Simpson said: "I'd like to say that I'm sorry and it will never happen again. But I'm saying, it's like a long story behind it."

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo said: "This kind of offence is one that is getting a lot of attention around here. Bladed article is a mandatory conviction of three years. You ready to go to jail?"

Simpson told him he wasn't ready to go to jail and he didn't know the mandatory sentence was three years even though he assumed jail time would be given.

He told the Magistrate he had been to jail before for breaching his probation and was currently on a new probation order.

Mr. Tokunbo then asked him: "Can you tell me why I shouldn't send you to prison for three years?"

Simpson said: "I'm sorry I had the knife and I think I learned from my mistake. I'm trying to better my life but the more I try to stay away from negativity, it's like it's easier. I'm working, I'm working."

Mr. Tokunbo sentenced Simpson to a three-year prison sentence suspended for 18 months and said: "That is only because of the circumstances you were caught with this bladed article.

He continued: "If you really want to get your life together, we'll see. You've been skirting with the law. You're young, you need to pull yourself together. You're close to becoming a criminal."