A Magistrate has given a man a chance to recover from his addictions by giving him a suspended sentence rather than keep him in jail past yesterday.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis told Andrew Arorash that having a 15-month prison sentence suspended for one year over his head would be an "increased incentive'' to avoid drugs upon his release from prison today on a six-month drug offence.

Mr. Francis heard that Arorash had been involved in a drug treatment programme while in prison.

Prosecutor Sgt. Philip Taylor suggested to Mr. Francis that Arorash be given a "fresh start'' and "something not more binding'' by way of sentence.

Mr. Francis heard that Arorash, 28, of no fixed abode, was observed by Police on Elliott Street while he appeared to be in a transaction on June 3 last year.

Sgt. Taylor said he was approached and told he would be searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Officers found a short metal ribbon gauze (steel wool) in his top right pants pocket.

Arorash told Police it was for washing dishes, and added: "I don't sell drugs.'' He was later charged and when an analyst's report was presented to him he told Police he was "sorry for wasting your time''.

Arorash was standing within 300 metres of a nursery a violation of the increased penalties amendment to the drugs act.

Mr. Francis gave him a three-month prison sentence for possessing drug equipment and 12 months for being inside the IPZ.