Magistrate Edward King hung "the sword of Damocles'' over a crack addict's head yesterday in handing down a suspended sentence for stealing from a church.

Mr. King referred to the Greek myth of a man awaiting execution when sentencing Norris Albert Simpson for stealing cheques and obtaining money by false pretences from the Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church where he was the caretaker.

Simpson, 42, said nothing but his lawyer Kim White told Mr. King that he had completed the Salvation Army's Harbour Light drug rehabilitation programme, having entered of his own accord.

Simpson's address is listed as the Harbour Light in court documents.

Mr. White also told the court his law firm is holding compensation money Simpson has paid for the church but his calls had not been answered by the minister in charge Rev. Betty Furbert Woolridge.

"I'll bet they'll come get it by Friday!'' Mr. King said, glancing at the reporter's bench. "This suspended sentence will hopefully deter you away from illicit substances.

"You'll have the sword of Damocles hanging over your neck and keep you away from drugs. And I laud you for your actions in getting help and providing the funds.'' He added: "I do not consider a fine warranted. Three months on each count suspended for two years.'' Simpson had pleaded guilty to nine counts of stealing eight cheques in two separate break-ins on March 25 and 30.

Crown counsel Graveney Bannister told the court Simpson was arrested on April 28 after he checked in to the Harbour Light Facility on King Street.

Rev. Furbert had reported the break-ins and then noted the cheques began to return in early April, having been made out to Simpson.

In all, he was able to get $2032.10 from the stolen, forged, and uttered cheques.

Simpson asked that 19 other offences be taken into consideration after he gave Police assistance in solving them.

He went to supermarkets in Sandys, Warwick, and in Hamilton to purchase goods and receive change and then bought crack cocaine.

Simpson's criminal record goes back to 1977 and he was imprisoned in 1988 for four years for similar offences.

In mitigation, Mr. White told the court: "Please note my client cooperated with Police from the very start. Mr. Simpson came to the conclusion of his own volition that he has a drug problem.

"He has attempted to repay these sums despite numerous telephone calls by myself and numerous promises that we would be supplied with the names and addresses of the aggrieved,'' he added.

"He did his time and came out and rejoined society in the early 90's and has not been in trouble since,'' Mr. White concluded. "A 12 year gap is a 12 year gap. He had managed to stay away from the scourge of modern society -- drugs -- all that time.''