By Associated Press - Tuesday, May 6, 2014

FITCHBURG, Mass. (AP) - A Fitchburg man with a history of mental illness who slashed his social worker’s face with a box cutter because he wasn’t given nicotine gum has been sentenced to three years in jail.

Keyon Johnston was sentenced after pleading guilty Monday to aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Prosecutors say the 32-year-old Johnston attacked Scott Smith, of Milford, New Hampshire, without provocation in August as Smith was driving Johnston home.

Johnston was a patient at a mental health center where Smith worked.

Johnston told police he was angry because Smith had not done some things he had promised, including buying him nicotine gum.

Smith went to the nearby police station after being slashed. A six-inch gash on his face required 22 stiches. Johnston was arrested at his home.

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