in his attempt to escape, Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Michael E. Smith of Rocklands Estate was yesterday sentenced to nine months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of 8.45 grams of cocaine and obstructing a Police officer.

Insp. Peter Duffy. prosecuting, told the court that on May 5, Police officers saw Smith at the old playground on Court Street. When the defendant noticed an officer moving towards him, he tried to leave but was met by another officer.

"After they told him that he would be searched, Smith began to struggle causing one of the officers to receive an injury to his right hand,'' Insp.

Duffy said.

The officers took Smith to Hamilton Police station where he was searched. "In Smith's rear pocket of his trousers, they found a Camel cigarette pack containing cocaine that was later found to be 8.45 grams with an 82 percent purity,'' said Insp. Duffy.

"The cocaine had a street value of $2,625.'' Insp. Duffy told the court that Smith had previous convictions for drug related matters.

When Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis asked him if he had anything to say, Smith replied: "I do have a problem with drugs. I've been trying to seek help. I thank the Police officers for getting me when they did because at that time I was getting ready to go on a binge.'' Mr. Francis said: "This amount of drugs was clearly intended for supply and this is a very serious offence.'' For possessing cocaine intended for supply, Mr. Francis sentenced Smith to nine months in prison, which will run consecutively to the a nine-month sentence he is already serving for an unrelated offence.

For obstructing an officer Mr. Francis sentenced Smith to one month in prison which will run concurrent to the first sentence.