A man with a collection of convictions on his criminal record has been jailed for two years after being found guilty of aggravated possession of cocaine in November 2007.

Despite having done his best to kick the drug habit and even spending a year following a drug rehabilitation programme, Peter Axiak, 52, still deserved to be jailed, even though he had not committed another crime since 2011, ruled Magistrate Marseann Farrugia.

The court heard how he had been stopped at a roadblock and when he realised he was surrounded by police, he threw digital weighing scales out of the window, hoping no one would realise.

When he was searched, the police found three plastic sachets containing a substance suspected to be cocaine.

He told the police he was a drug addict and that the cocaine was for his personal use.

When asked about his usual consumption, Mr Axiak said he usually took that amount in four days. Apart from the drugs, he also had €407 in cash.

The court heard experts testify that the three sachets weighed 7.03 grams, 0.21 grams and 0.23 grams respectively. The usual dose of a drug addict is between one and 1.5 grams a day so the amount Mr Axiak had in his possession was not for his exclusive use. The amount was enough for 37 doses.

The court said it was also inconceivable how the accused was saying that he had purchased the cocaine on credit, which was not usually given in drug deals.

In her decision, the magistrate said he had 10 previous convictions, five of which for traffic offences and two over aggravated theft. She therefore jailed him for two years and fined him €2,000.

Assistant Commissioner Norbert Ciappara prosecuted.